Reports: Mets Receiving Interest In Wheeler, Cabrera

Zack Wheeler pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at Citi Field.
Photo credit USA Today Sports Images
By WFAN.com

As they prepare to be sellers at this year's July 31 non-waiver trade deadline due to the team's disappointing performance this year, the Mets are beginning to receive calls about several of their players.

New York is drawing "serious interest" in starting pitcher Zack Wheeler, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. 

MORE: Todd Frazier On WFAN: 'It Just Happens To Be That Kind Of Year'

Wheeler is enjoying a solid, bounce back campaign this season, going 2-6 with a 4.42 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 99 strikeouts in 99.2 innings (17 starts). He struggled with injuries last year in what was his return to the mound after missing two full seasons due to Tommy John surgery, but the 28-year-old has been able to remain healthy thus far in 2018. 

Rosenthal notes that the Mets are willing to eat salary in order to receive a better package in return for Wheeler (or any player traded), as the team prefers major league-ready prospects. 

Wheeler will earn $1.9 million this season and is arbitration-eligble again in 2019. Following the 2019 season, the right-hander is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career.

New York has been pushing Wheeler and Steven Matz to teams interested in acquiring a starting pitcher, as the club has reportedly moved on from the idea of trading Jacob deGrom and/or Noah Syndergaard. 

In addition to Wheeler, infielder Asdrubal Cabrera appears to be a potential trade target of the Los Angeles Dodgers, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

MORE: Mets Call Up Drew Gagnon To Start Tuesday

While Los Angeles is still in on the Manny Machado sweepstakes, they are preparing for the superstar to get dealt elsewhere by inquiring about other infielders from around the league. The Dodgers have had conversations with the Cincinnati Reds about Scooer Gennett and the Twins about Brian Dozier, as well as the Mets about Cabrera.

Sources: Dodgers have stepped up pursuit of a position player and are looking beyond Manny Machado. Have had conversations with Reds about Scooter Gennett, Twins about Brian Dozier and Mets about Asdrubal Cabrera. Dodgers’ versatility allows them to pursue a number of positions.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 10, 2018

Cabrera is in the midst of his strongest season in years. The 32-year-old is hitting .282 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI, 19 doubles and 40 runs in 86 games.

The switch-hitting infielder is in the final season of a three-year, $24.75 million contract he signed with the Mets prior to the 2016 season.