MLB Rumors: Mets FA Zack Wheeler Draws Interest from Angels, Padres, White Sox

Although he has yet to officially hit free agency, Zack Wheeler is already on the radar for multiple MLB teams.

MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi reported Monday the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox have shown interest in the 29-year-old right-hander.

The New York Mets tendered Wheeler the $17.8 million qualifying offer for 2020, but Morosi added he's expected to turn the offer down to enter free agency.

Wheeler went 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA and 3.48 FIP in 31 starts with the Mets this past season, per FanGraphs. He averaged 9.0 strikeouts and 2.3 walks per nine innings, the latter of which was a personal best.

The five-year veteran is likely to have a robust market among the teams that are priced out of signing either Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg or fail to sign one of the two aces.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Nov. 4 the Angels "have let it be known they plan to spend aggressively" to strengthen their squad around Mike Trout. Cole, the best pitcher available and a native of Newport Beach, California, would be an obvious target.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee, sources inside the Padres "indicated over the past few days that the team will be in position to make a run at [Strasburg]."

Wheeler is a natural alternative if Los Angeles or San Diego has to look elsewhere to strengthen the starting rotation.

The White Sox are in a similar boat. Given the size of their media market, they should have the financial resources necessary for a run at Cole or Strasburg, but they struck out in their pursuits of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper last offseason.

Wheeler would be an excellent No. 2 starter behind Lucas Giolito in the Windy City.