Late Wednesday, the Mets nearly traded Zack Wheeler along with Wilmer Flores to the Brewers in exchange for Carlos Gomez, but the deal ultimately fell apart and both players were retained.
Since then, Wheeler was rumored to be in a deal involving Reds OF Jay Bruce, but the Mets ultimately acquired OF Yoenis Cespedes instead, retaining Wheeler and dealing Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa instead.
“We made it clear to people from the get-go we were not going to move any of that essential starting pitching,” Alderson said. “Obviously, Zack Wheeler’s name came up.”
After the deal was made official on Friday, Sandy Alderson said Wheeler called him and expressed his desire to stay with the Mets going forward.
Alderson said that had a meaningful “impact” on the club.
“He really expressed his desire and excitement,” Alderson said about Wheeler.
On Monday, Wheeler told Just Mets he wished he was with the team now, contributing towards winning instead of rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery in Port St. Lucie.
“It stinks not to be up there with those guys and pitching with them,” Wheeler said. “All I can do is dream. I am dreaming about it right now – I wish I was up there.
“There’s always next year,” he said. “That’s my whole motivation, To be able to join those guys and win a World Series next year. It should be a lot of fun, and that’s what pushes me everyday down here.”
Wheeler is as genuine a player as I’ve ever met covering the club. He has a great personality, a sense of humor, and of course he’s tremendously talented. He really wants to be here and be a part of a winner, which speaks to his character.
It’s going to be a while, but he may get his wish, eventually.
Perhaps the deal falling through on Wednesday will end up being a blessing in disguise for both Wheeler and the Mets, as they got the better player for a run this year, and retained a major part of their blueprint for years to come.
That along with Cespedes being acquired makes the day extra sweet.
Just Mets 