Both the Yankees of New York like the Mets were very close to an exchange in July 2019 that would have sent Zack wheeler to the Bronx, according to SNY’s Andy Martino,
Why did not it happen?
Because one of the players involved did not pass the physical exam.
The Yankees were known to be one of the teams interested in Wheeler before the deadline, although the Yankees reportedly had even more interest in another Mets pitcher in Noah Syndergaard. Beyond those two members of the Mets’ rotation, the Yankees threw a wide net for help from the rotation at the deadline, but failed to make any significant trade, either for pitchers or hitters.
The Mets also held back from trading Wheeler to anyone, as the right-hander finished a good season and then left Queens that winter for a five-year, $ 118 million free agent deal with the Phillies. Interestingly, the Yankees were also tied to Wheeler’s free agent market, but instead pivoted to make an even bigger impact by signing Gerrit Cole to a $ 324 million, nine-year deal, which is still the largest contract. never awarded to a pitcher in total dollars.
Beyond the rarity of the two Big Apple rivals making such a remarkable trade, Wheeler’s deal would have created a huge ripple effect in recent baseball history. Adding Wheeler could have been the final piece the Yankees needed for a championship to begin with, as the club overcame a slew of injuries to win 103 games before finally falling to the Astros in the American League Championship Series.
A Wheeler trade would have impacted his free agency in another way, as he would not have been eligible to receive a qualifying offer due to the midseason deal. While the compensation from the draft QO didn’t appear to have much of an impact on Wheeler’s market, the lack of a qualified offering could have resulted in an additional team or two participating, which could have resulted in a few additional million in the sale. Wheeler’s bank account.
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Reason the Yankees didn’t acquire Zack Wheeler