Milwaukee Brewers Rumors: Showing Serious Interest In Zack Wheeler

In the latest batch of Milwaukee Brewers rumors, the Crew is among a few teams showing serious interest in Zack Wheeler of the New York Mets.

Brewers GM David Stearns has searched high and low for additions to his rotation that is in dire need of a reliable arm at the top. That search could end with the acquisition of Zack Wheeler.

As most of us remember, the Brewers nearly acquired Wheeler three years ago when he was still recovering from Tommy John surgery in the failed Carlos Gomez trade. Gomez was traded the next day for what ended up being a far more successful package.

The Mets will have a giant asking price for Wheeler, although it’s debatable if he actually deserves that price. Wheeler has a 4.11 ERA this year and a 3.95 ERA for his career. He’s only controllable for one more season before becoming a free agent.

Heyman reports that no one has really come close to meeting that high asking price and there isn’t a clear frontrunner at this time.

Should The Brewers Get Wheeler?

Wheeler and Kevin Gausman of the Orioles are the two most likely starting pitchers to get traded at this time.  Both are controlled beyond this year and have had struggles in their careers thus far.

But unless the Mets come down from their high price, it’s doubtful a deal comes together. David Stearns doesn’t want to trade away the future of this organization for a short term fix. He needs to balance the short term and the long term future.

Stearns has been pretty steadfast in saying he doesn’t want to trade Keston Hiura, Corbin Burnes, or Freddy Peralta. If Wheeler is going to cost any of those three prospects, Stearns probably won’t do it. The only starting pitcher worth giving up any of those players that could be available is Jacob deGrom, but as of right now, it’s unlikely that he gets moved.

The Milwaukee Brewers could try to build a package around young pitching prospect Luis Ortiz, who has stalled a bit in Double-A. That makes more sense than moving one of the higher performing prospects.

With the trade deadline one day away, David Stearns is running out of time to find the perfect deal but he’s come through in the past.