Why Wheeler ?

Forgive me if I don’t understand the hype and disappointment at missing out on Zachery Wheeler. This isn’t Manny 2.0 or season 2 of True Detective. Ya Rick and co. out bid Philly but there are always going to be extenuating circumstances. Family in this case and as I saw on twitter when you factor in the state income taxes of Illinois and Penn the Philly deal was actually a tiny bit more lucrative. Crazy but there ya go.

 Zach Wheeler is 29
Dallas Keuchel will be 32 by opening day
Madison Bumgarner is 30

Age is negligible in my opinion depending on length of contract, Wheels got 5 years $118M. What will the other two get? Whatever a team is willing to pay, the Sox are willing they just need to do it.

WAR: Zach had a higher WAR than both Dallas and Madison in 2019. Career isn’t even close Zach trails both significantly. (advanced stats not your father’s baseball card backs).

WINS: MB & DK were .500 pitchers in 2019 while ZW was .579 (if my math is right (which it might not be). Wins are a team stat relying on teammates to score, out of pitchers control especially in the American League. So ya its here for your viewing pleasure.

ERA: Both MB & DK have a better career ERA and in 2019. Seems relevant to me.
K:  Wheeler had about 100 more strikeouts than DK but MB had more than ZW.
WHIP: MB has the best whip career and 2019 and While ZW was better than DK in 2019 it was by a tenth of a point.

STARTS: MB started more games followed by ZW and then DK. Obviously, the career starts are low for ZW as he is a Tommy John Surgery survivor. Some will say this means he has more left in his arm because he pitched less; I don’t know.

If you’re a stat head, or just want more data, or think I cherry picked the numbers just go to baseball reference and see for yourself.

Dallas Keuchel – Lefty

Born: 1/01/1988 (Age: 31) 32 by opening day 2020

WAR 2019 2.0 | Career 20.3

Cy Young | 2x All-Star | 2017 World Series | 4x Gold Glove

Madison Bumgarner – Lefty
Born: 8/01/1989 (Age: 30)
WAR 2019 2.8 | Career 37.1
4x All-Star | 3X World Series

Zach Wheeler – Righty

Born: 5/30/1990 (Age: 29)

WAR 2019 4.1 | Career 10.2

Oh, and both MB and DK are left-handed which is desperately needed in the Sox rotation not to mention their post season accomplishments so…
I ask again WHY Wheeler?
If it isn’t Cole or Strasburg then why worry. The South-Side baseball team needs at least one left-handed starting pitcher. My preference is Madison he’s got the pedigree but I like multiple lefties so sign up Dallas too maybe on another 1-year deal? Remember Dallas missed a third of last season waiting for a contract. He eventually signed a one-year $13M deal with Atlanta. I like what these two can do and have done. They solidify a young, talented core of right-handed power.
Rodon should be back by mid-season. If he is healthy and effective this is a plus. You can never have too much pitching right Rick? You can also never have too many left-handed pitchers either.

Convinced? I don’t care. I need Rick to do it that thing he’s doing again and sign the pair ASAP. Then fill that RF hole possibly with another Cubano.