So, who is this Zach Wheeler and why should we be happy he is a New York Met? Well, for openers, Wheeler is the textbook example of “live arm,” having a 10.7 K/9 ratio in low-A in 2010. Zach is a groundball machine and has the stuff to become the front end starter the Mets need if they are ever to return to contention. This year, pitching for San Jose in the California (high-A) league, he has gone 7-5 with 98 Ks in 88 IPs. Walks continue to be an issue, as he has also issued 47 of them this year, a slight improvement to his 5.89 BB/9 ratio last year. So he’s got some work to do, but at 21 and in his second pro season, he certainly has the time he needs to work things out.

Kudos to Sandy Alderson on a getting a player with the potential to become the Mets next great ace. For what it’s worth, he immediately becomes the Mets best prospect. Not a bad haul for an aging outfielder with a stupid clause in his contract. My guess is that Wheeler will finish the year in the Florida State League and maybe get an invite to Spring Training next year. One thing for sure, with Wheeler, Harvey, Familia and Mejia, plenty of trips to Eastern League Reading and International League Lehigh Valley will be in my travel itinerary next summer when the Mets farm teams come to town.

While the Mets prepare (apparently) to bid adieu to one slugger, they are expected to welcome another one back tonight, as David Wright is all set to come off the disabled list. Out since mid-May with a lower vertebrae stress fracture, Wright went 10 for 21 during a rehab stint in the Florida State League. Prior to being disabled, Wright hit .226 with 6 homers and 26 RBI. Nick Evans is expected to be returned to Buffalo in make room for Wright.

WFAN’s Ed Coleman reported that injured ace Johan Santana is set for an August 21 return. That report however was quickly refuted by at least two other sources. There has been no official word from the team on this–but why let that stand in the way of a good story?

At a time of year when baseball’s contenders add pieces for a title run, the Mets added the league’s batting leader by activating Jose Reyes today. Disabled since July 3rd with a hamstring strain the Met shortstop is leading the league with a .354 Batting Average and 15 triples. He will be in the leadoff spot tonight. To make room for Reyes the Mets optioned Rueben Tejada back to Buffalo.

Peter Gammons appeared on today’s Mike Francesa show and predicted at “least one good prospect” coming back to the Mets in exchange for Carlos Beltran. Stay tuned!

NOTE: This is a post by new MetsToday contributor Dan Capwell. Please direct your comments to him. -Joe

The last time the Mets traded an overpriced closer to a contending team for 2 PTBNL, they ended up getting Chris Carter and Eddie Lora from Boston for Billy Wagner. That deal failed on several levels, which is another blog post in itself. Suffice to say however that the K-Rod to Milwaukee deal stirred those memories and evoked thoughts of “here we go again” among many of the Met faithful.

Then Sandy Alderson ended an interview the WFAN’s Joe and Evan with a cryptic comment that one of the two PTBNLs had already been successful at the major league level but was currently back in Milwaukee’s farm system. So, who might this player be? Well, a quick glance at the roster of the Nashville Sounds (The Brewer’s AAA team) provides several names that might fit the description: