MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 10: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets makes a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 10, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox have cast a wide net in search of starting pitching help.
That net may have found its first target in the Mets’ Zack Wheeler, too, according to the New York Post.
Per The Post’s Joel Sherman, the Red Sox and Mets are in the ‘early stages’ of a Wheeler-to-Boston discussion, and with the Mets having an in-depth understanding of Boston’s operation.
“One comfort the Mets would have in dealing with the Red Sox is knowledge of their farm system,” Sherman wrote. “Until this year both Mets VP/assistant GM for scouting and player development Allard Baird and VP of player personnel Jared Banner held instrumental baseball operations roles with Boston.”
A 6-foot-4 righty, Wheeler has posted a 6-6 record with 130 strikeouts and a 4.69 ERA through 19 starts this season. The 29-year-old set career-highs in wins (12), ERA (3.31), WHIP (1.12), and batting average against (.225) in 32 games last season.
The Red Sox are not the only team interested in Wheeler, though, as Sherman mentioned that there are other teams pursuing the 2009 first-round pick.