Report: Astros met with Wheeler's agents

The GM meetings are only just getting underway, but the Houston Astros aren't wasting any time.

Representatives from the AL pennant-winning club have already met with members of Jet Sports, the agency representing Zack Wheeler, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Houston has reportedly had sustained interest in the 29-year-old and was among his suitors when the New York Mets were said to be shopping him ahead of this past summer's trade deadline.

The Mets wound up retaining Wheeler and have since tendered him a one-year qualifying offer worth $17.8 million. The right-hander is widely expected to reject the offer, which will attach him to draft-pick compensation on the free-agent market.

After being consistently ranked as one of the best pitching prospects in the sport, Wheeler dealt with early-career injuries that prevented him from making a sustained impression at the major-league level. Over the past two seasons, however, Wheeler has cemented himself as a reliable rotation fixture. Throwing more than 180 innings each year, Wheeler posted a combined 3.65 ERA and 3.37 FIP from 2018-19.

The market for Wheeler is expected to be robust. Along with the Mets and Astros, the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago White Sox are all reportedly interested in his services.