Zack Wheeler has moved on from the New York Mets and on to the rival Philadelphia Phillies. He had another productive 2019 season which earned him the lucrative contract from the Phillies. Wheeler was one of four Mets starters to make over 30 starts and helped get them back in the playoff race in the second half of the season.
If this was the end of Zack Wheeler: New York Met, he wants it to be known he enjoyed his time:
"I love the fans here, it's a great place to play" pic.twitter.com/SEXUJziITU
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 27, 2019
Much like the 2018 season, Wheeler started slow out of the gate. Through the All-Star break he pitched 119 innings and had an ERA of 4.69 and was on his way to the IL. Much like Noah Syndergaard, Wheeler could not find consistency, he would string together a couple solid starts then put together a start where he allowed five or six runs.
Second Half Push
As the Mets were falling out of the race, rumors swirled around the idea of trading Wheeler to a contender. The idea made sense for the Mets but the longer they kept Wheeler the longer the rumors hung over him like a dark rain cloud. His value had also dipped because he was on the IL and only made one start before the trade deadline.
Is this Zack Wheeler’s final walk off the Citi Field mound as a Met?
If inquiring team’s were concerned about his health, they shouldn’t be after tonight. The only question now is what the Mets want to do. pic.twitter.com/9AOQQvuwFE
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) July 27, 2019
The one start was a good one as he went 5.1 innings allowing three runs and striking out seven, in what might have been his last start as Citi Field. The Mets decided to keep Wheeler and it seemed to relax him as he had the same second half resurgence as he had the year prior.
In his final 12 starts he had a 2.83 ERA, only allowed six home runs and only walked 16 batters. Wheeler went six innings or more in the 12 starts and finished the season going at least seven innings in his last five starts. Safe to say at that point he was not only pitching for the Mets playoff hopes, but a paycheck as well.
On to Philly
Unfortunately for the Mets, Wheeler declined the Mets qualifying offer to stay in New York then signed a five-year/$118 million deal with the Phillies. The price tag was much more than the Mets wanted to go and it was a good move for the Mets to avoid overpaying for him.
Grades:
Pitching Repitoire: A, One of the best on the staff
Control: B+, Ran into some issues early on in the year but got himself together in August and September
Composure: A, Very hard to break him, much like deGrom
Durability: A-, Despite making an IL stint, still made 31 starts
Intangibles: A+, Bulldog on the mound and a great clubhouse guy, especially through the trade rumors
Overall: A-, Very solid year for Wheeler and he should fit in nicely in Philadelphia