MLB rumors: Yankees dropping out of the race for Zack Wheeler?

Things seem to be moving fast on the Zack Wheeler front with free agency really getting going around the MLB world.

A report earlier on Tuesday noted that Wheeler could sign ahead of the start of the MLB Winter Meetings Dec. 8. Another report suggests that he’s looking at $100 million on a new deal.

With Wheeler likely to leave the New York Mets in free agency, suggestions were that he could remain in the Big Apple with the Yankees.

According to Andy Martino of SNY, that might not be the case. Wheeler might have played himself out of the market for the Yankees.

Between Reds and White Sox strong interest and the offer already on table of $100 million-plus, the Zack Wheeler market is quickly exceeding where the Yankees seem willing to go for him. Those other suitors more aggressive.

— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 4, 2019

Big-market teams have a decision to make this winter. Do they want to spend $20-plus million annually in a lesser pitcher in Wheeler or go after the likes of Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg?

As it relates to the Yankees, they are reportedly concerned that Cole could return to his Southern California roots with the Angels or Dodgers. A product of UCLA, that seems to make sense.

What we do know is that the Yanks are going big-game hunting in free agency. It likely won’t be to dole out the cash for Wheeler.