Brewers could be targeting Wheeler in trade

The Brewers nearly traded for Zack Wheeler three years ago. They appear to be interested in the Mets right-hander yet again.
The two sides have discussed a deal involving Wheeler, sources told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi on Thursday morning, with Morosi noting that no deal is close at the moment. 
Back in July 2015, the Mets nearly sent Wheeler, along with infielder Wilmer Flores, to the Brewers in a reported deal to acquire outfielder Carlos Gómez. When that trade fell through -- amid some controversy and Flores' reaction to the possibility of being traded -- New York pivoted and acquired slugger Yoenis Céspedes from the Tigers for Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa.
Meanwhile, the Brewers wound up trading Gomez, Mike Fiers and cash to the Astros for Josh Hader, Domingo Santana, Brett Phillips and Adrian Houser.
Milwaukee's front office is different this time around -- general manager David Stearns took over in late 2015 -- but it seems the club's interest in Wheeler remains. The 28-year-old right-hander, who is under club control through 2019, has a 4.33 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and an 8.6 K/9 rate -- but he's pitched to a 3.50 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over his past 10 starts.
The Brewers have been seeking to address their rotation, which has been ravaged by injuries for much of 2018. The latest came Wednesday when righty Zach Davies, who has been limited to eight starts this year, had another setback in his attempt to return from right shoulder and lower back ailments. That came two days after Brent Suter was placed on the DL with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow that is expected to require Tommy John surgery.
Milwaukee also has been without right-hander Jimmy Nelson, arguably its top starter a year ago, all season long while he recovers from shoulder surgery.
The Brewers' current rotation consists of righties Chase Anderson, Jhoulys Chacín, Junior Guerra, Freddy Peralta and lefty Wade Miley. Other in-house options include rookies Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes.