Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler 'got fixed,' now he’s about to cash in

Chelsea Howard

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler 'got fixed,' now he’s about to cash in image

With free agency approaching for Zack Wheeler for the first time in his career, the Mets pitcher said he "got fixed" and now is hoping to cash in. 

Wheeler recovered from Tommy John surgery complications, which forced him to miss the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He also was shut down in August 2017 after making just 17 starts.

“I had a hard time when I came back just because I was still trying to find the finesse part of pitching after having a new arm basically," Wheeler admitted Wednesday (per MLB.com). "That part was a little tough." 

Wheeler is healthy now and holds a 3.65 ERA with 364 strikeouts since the start of last season. He's started to look ahead to his future and what he wants out of his next deal, which may include moving on from the Mets after more than eight years with the organization.

“I think you have to weigh your options when it gets to this point,” Wheeler told the New York Post on Wednesday. “I love it here and I definitely would listen to these guys. But I think you have to weigh all your options and see what’s best for me personally at that point.”

The Mets have an option to extend a one-year qualifying offer to retain him for the 2020 season. MLB.com noted Wheeler wouldn't give any indication as to whether he's interested in accepting a qualifying offer, but did say he hopes to sign a multi-year contract in free agency. 

"I don’t let (free agency) affect me," Wheeler told the Post. "I don’t try to do too much or over-perform, I just go out there and try to trust my stuff. Like I said, I’m here and I’m just trying to win some ballgames for this team and I’m just doing the best that I can.”

Mets manager Mickey Callaway addressed some of the speculation around Wheeler's future, including if he thinks the pitcher will fit into New York's 2020 plans.

“That’s something that’s not my call,” Callaway said. “Obviously, every team is going to want a Zack Wheeler on their staff. He’s got supreme stuff, he’s hauled a lot of innings the last couple of years, he’s been healthy, made his starts, so everybody wants him.

“But we’ll see how the offseason goes, he has earned the right to go out there and see what he can do for himself and his family. He’s worked really hard and pitched us some pretty good baseball to go and test those waters. So, I’m happy that he gets to do that for the person and his family but everybody wants this guy I’m sure. We’ll see what happens.”

Thursday's game against the Marlins will mark Wheeler's 126th start for the Mets with the possibility of being his last. He's just one win away from tying his career-high of 12 that he set last season.

Chelsea Howard