MLB Trade Rumors: Zack Wheeler's Chances of Being Dealt Are 'Pretty High'

Chances are "pretty high" that New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler will no longer be with the organization following MLB's July 31 trade deadline, according to Yahoo Sports' Mike Mazzeo.

"It's just where we're at," an anonymous team source told Mazzeo. "If we played better in San Francisco [over the weekend], it might have changed everything." 

The Mets dropped three of four games against the Giants and entered their game against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night with a 45-54 record. That has them 14 games back in the National League East and seven back in the NL wild-card race, rendering them likely sellers. 

Wheeler has been on the Mets' injured list with a "right shoulder impingement" since July 15, retroactive to July 12. When speaking to reporters earlier Tuesday, Wheeler said he feels "confident" going into his next scheduled start Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to the New York Daily News' Deesha Thosar.

However, there has been no official word from the Mets on whether Wheeler will start.

When on the mound this season, the 29-year-old righty has posted a 6-6 record with a 4.69 ERA and 1.277 WHIP across 19 starts. He is just one year removed from his most productive season in the majors, during which he had a 12-7 record, a 3.31 ERA and a 1.124 WHIP in 2018.

Wheeler is set to enter unrestricted free agency after this season. On July 12, Newsday's Tim Healey reported Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said "moving expiring contracts" will be a focus for the club at the deadline. 

MLB.com's Mike Petriello predicted Wheeler will land with the American League West-leading Houston Astros, who have three reliable starting pitchers but could use more rotational depth for the postseason.