Chicago Cubs should target Zack Wheeler in free agency

With the Chicago Cubs looking to make changes to the rotation, there are intriguing names in free agency that could grab Theo Epstein’s attention.

One of the many questions being asked this offseason is how the Chicago Cubs will upgrade their pitching rotation for 2020. We know that Kyle Hendricks, Yu Darvish and Jon Lester will be sticking around baring some crazy move or unfortunate career setback. Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzalez reports that the Cubs elected to pick up Jose Quintana’s option for 2020, which means the club has have four slots taken in the Opening Week rotation.

One thing seems certain is that they will be looking to replace Cole Hamels‘ spot since he probably will not be back. Plus despite the Cubs picking up Quintana’s option, there could be an attempt to trade him offseason. Regardless there will be changes to the rotation for 2020 however big or small they might be.

One intriguing option for Theo Epstein to explore is veteran righty Zack Wheeler, who will be a free agent if he indeed declines a one-year, $18 million qualifying offer. Wheeler, 29, has spent his entire MLB career with the Mets since making his debut in 2013. While one might bring up injury issues in his career as a point of concern, the recent body of work shows that he is still a very valuable arm and one that will generate interest.

Chicago Cubs: Surrounded by aces, Wheeler made a name for himself

Wheeler made his debut in 2013 with the New York Mets and immediately made an impact pitching to a 3.42 ERA in 17 starts. He posted a 3.55 FIP and 187 strikeouts in 32 starts in 2014 and was looking very promising. Then in March of 2015 he had Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL and missed the entire season. In 2016 he tried to comeback but suffered a mild flexor strain during his rehab and missed all of that season as well.

He finally returned in 2017 and the past several season still showed that he can pitch. In 2019 he pitched a career-high 195 1/3 innings (31 starts) and pitched to a 3.96 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 1.3 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 and posted a 4.7 fWAR. The difference in FIP and ERA shows he was better than the peripherals indicate.  In 2018, he posted a career-low 3.25 FIP and 3.31 ERA in 182 1/3 innings, so this past year does not exactly scream “fluke”.

Wheeler might not be Nolan Ryan, but he can miss bats. He regularly can sit in the upper-90s on the fastball while mixing in a hard slider, curve and change-up which he used more of last year. He has a number of times hit 99 MPH on the gun on the fastball and the pitch velocity on that fastball in 2019 was the highest of his career.

His stuff has looked as good as it has since going under the knife and at 29 still has gas in the tank.