Milwaukee Brewers always have had an eye on Zack Wheeler. Why? He must fit their model for pitching pretty well. Years ago, Brewers were ready to send Carlos Gomez to the Mets for Wheeler and Wilmer Flores. Now, it’s a good thing that deal did not go through due to some Mets chicanery, because, it led to Milwaukee getting Josh Hader and Adrian Houser from Houston. Last year, Brewers had their eye on Wheeler that the Mets were not willing to deal. It appears that interest never really went away for Brewers as Marc Carig, Mets beat writer, wrote in The Athletic yesterday.

The Brewers might also make sense. Though they lead the NL Central, they were also the only first-place team with a negative run-differential. Meanwhile, they play in a division featuring four teams that could heat up and make noise. That includes the Reds, in last place but with a +37 run differential indicating they could have a run in them. The Brewers could use an arm, and they’ve been enamored with Wheeler’s upside as recently as this past offseason.

Carig tells no lies about the Brewers needing another arm in their rotation. Wheeler is a guy that Milwaukee could definitely get on the cheap compared to other options available this July. He does have a 4.42 ERA which might make people pause, but he is rounding into form of late. In his last three starts against Philadelphia, New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs, he has allowed two or fewer runs and pitched into the seventh inning. When a guy gets hot as a pitcher, it’s important to look at his competition. Those are not mediocre teams by a long shot. Wheeler also has the strikeout potential that the Brewers love as he’s had six or more strikeouts in nine of his last 10 starts.

What’s the package that could net Wheeler? My guess is it would not take very much. Brewers would probably have to move one of the following – Mauricio Dubon, Corey Ray or Trent Grisham then a lower level Single-A talent. It might not even take one of the premier prospects considering Wheeler does not have the same value as other pitchers. Brewers should not give up very much for a rental, and David Stearns has done a good job of doing that in the past.

We’ll see if the wheels will turn on Wheeler.

Charlie.