Adam Rubin of ESPN New York writes that Zack Wheeler wants to be on the mound when the Mets open the season on March 31 at Citi Field and doesn’t want to settle for just a spot in the rotation.

“Last year I was coming in trying to win a spot,” Wheeler tells Rubin. “This year I’m trying to get the Opening Day spot.

With Terry Collins practically handing the Opening Day nod to Jonathon Niese, Wheeler would have to be the best pitcher in camp to change TC’s mind, and there isn’t any guarantee that will make a difference.

Wheeler debuted last season on June 18th and was 7-5, with a 3.42 ERA in 17 major-league starts. The Mets shut him down after a Sept. 17 start, to limit his innings and keep him fresh and not over work his arm.

Rubin shares that Wheeler said his goal this season is to slow things down somewhat,  to not let his body rush to deliver a pitch and get his mechanics out of whack.

Now a seasoned veteran, Wheeler is ready to lend a helping hand to anyone of the younger pitchers that need help in anyway, “I let it be known to some of the other guys that if they need some help with anything, if they have any questions, go ahead and ask me,” Wheeler shares with Rubin.

I like that Wheeler is just not settling for a spot in the rotation, he has a fire within that is pushing him to fight for the #1 spot on the staff, but that is not to be taken as him having an ego, more like be confident in what he is capable of doing.  With Matt Harvey out for most if not all of 2014, the Mets will benefit from having a pitcher wanting to be the best in each and every start.  Maybe Wheeler will be to the Mets in 2014, what Harvey was in 2013, and if that is the case, imagine when Harvey does come back, what a one-two punch the Mets will have. And Noah Syndergaard is still on the horizon to impact the rotation.

(Photo Credit: Howard Simmons/NY Daily News)