REPORT: White Sox Showing Early Interest In Free Agent Pitcher Zack Wheeler

Yes, the White Sox should be going after Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg this offseason, but fans obviously know that realistic expectations say to aim a little bit lower. Although that sounds underwhelming at first the third best free agent starting pitcher this offseason would still give the White Sox a big boost in their rotation.

As the GM meetings begin down in Arizona this week, the White Sox are reportedly showing early interest in 29-year-old Zack Wheeler along with the Angels and Padres.

Via MLB.com.

Zack Wheeler has until Thursday at 5 p.m. ET to accept or reject the Mets’ $17.8 million qualifying offer. Thus, over the coming days, Wheeler and his representatives will weigh the level of interest he’s receiving from other Major League clubs.
Judging by the early indications, Wheeler is likely to turn down the Mets’ offer and explore the open market.
The Angels, Padres and White Sox are among the teams showing interest in Wheeler during the early days of free agency, sources say.

The right-hander made his MLB debut in 2013 with the Mets, called up in the middle of the season. As a rookie he made 17 starts, posting a 3.42 ERA in 100 innings. The following season he made 32 starts, throwing 185.1 innings, finishing the year with a 3.54 ERA.

However, the injuries then arrived. Wheeler had Tommy John surgery in March of 2015, forcing him to miss the entire year and had more arm issues as he was attempting to return in 2016. Wheeler finally returned to action in 2017, but after two more stints on the injured list he was once again shut down for the year after making 17 starts.

Yet, it appears as though the arm injuries are behind Wheeler, who’s made 60 starts in the last two seasons, including a career high 195.1 innings pitched in 2019. In the past two years Wheeler ranks ninth among all MLB starting pitchers with an 8.9 fWAR.

While Wheeler is ranked in the middle of the pack in strikeout rate, the right-hander is good at limiting hard contact, recording the third lowest hard contact rate since 2018.

Early contract projections for Wheeler have him receiving a four-year deal at about $18 million per season. MLB Trade Rumors estimates that the Phillies outbid everyone and give him a five-year deal worth $100 million.

Obviously there are several teams seeking starting pitching this offseason, including the Angels and Padres who are also interest in Wheeler. We’ll see just how aggressive the White Sox get this offseason as it really does appear that the AL Central is wide open in 2020. A few major commitments from the White Sox and they can easily begin next season as the division favorites.

Gotta spend that money, though. We shall see.