Mets' Wheeler confident pitching staff can fuel postseason berth
Despite enduring two disappointing seasons with the New York Mets, right-hander Zack Wheeler insisted Thursday he doesn't want to be traded.
The Mets stumbled to a sixth consecutive losing season in 2014, but Wheeler knows a bright future awaits a club with a pitching staff teeming with young talent.
Zack Wheeler: "I'd rather not get traded but I've been through it before...I want to stay here because I know what's about to happen." #mets
— Mike Vorkunov (@Mike_Vorkunov) November 20, 2014
Though the Mets compiled a 79-83 record in 2014, a cursory glance at the club's tentative pitching rotation for next season justifies Wheeler's optimism. The club's starting pitchers fashioned a solid 3.66 ERA last season and could easily improve on that number in 2015.
| Pitcher | Age | Innings Pitched (2014) | ERA/FIP | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Harvey | 25 | - | - | - |
| Jake deGrom | 26 | 140.1 | 2.69/2.67 | 2.1 |
| Jon Niese | 28 | 187.2 | 3.40/3.67 | 1.6 |
| Zack Wheeler | 24 | 185.1 | 3.54/3.55 | 1.8 |
| Bartolo Colon | 41 | 202.1 | 4.09/3.57 | 2.1 |
Matt Harvey is poised to reclaim his spot atop the rotation after spending the entire 2014 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Jacob deGrom and Wheeler will look to replicate the success they enjoyed last season - the former earned NL Rookie of the Year honors. Noah Syndergaard, the club's top prospect, could even join the rotation at some point during the regular season.
Zack Wheeler: "If you’re human you can only look at our staff and be like yeah they’re going to make it to the playoffs." #mets
— Mike Vorkunov (@Mike_Vorkunov) November 20, 2014