Phillies, Zack Wheeler agree to multiyear extension
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning in Game 1 of the baseball NL Championship Series in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The biggest question for the Phillies this offseason was whether or not they would re-sign Zack Wheeler.
That was answered Monday morning when the club marked Wheeler to a three-year, $126 million contract extension running through the 2027 season.
The deal has an annual average value of $42 million per year. It is the highest for a Phillies player ever and the fourth-highest ever for a starting pitcher.
Wheeler, who turns 34 on May 30 and will turn 37 early in the final season of his contract, was set to reach free agency after this season, but the Phils were determined to not let that occur. The inquiry was whether or not Wheeler’s side would want to re-sign ahead of free agency given how strong a market he would have had.
Since signing his initial five-year, $118 million contract before the 2020 season which has become an absolute steal, Wheeler has gone 43-25 with a 3.06 ERA in 101 regular-season starts. In the postseason, he has been one of the most effective pitchers in history, with a 2.42 ERA and 0.73 WHIP in 11 games (10 starts). His WHIP and opponents’ on-base percentage are both the lowest ever for a pitcher in the postseason.
Wheeler’s best seasons of his career have been the last four in Philadelphia.
He has led all pitchers in Wins Above Replacement the last four seasons, finished second in Cy Young voting when he threw 46 more innings than the winner, won a Gold Glove, and made an All-Star team.
He and his wife Dominique have welcomed three children since he joined the Phillies, including a daughter named Winter last week. He was away from the team for 72 hours on paternity leave, returned during the weekend, and officially signed his new deal Monday morning. Phillie owner John Middleton told reporters that the deal was agreed to on Saturday, February 24. They wanted to get the deal done before Wheeler’s newest baby arrived.
This deal is pretty perfect for both sides. Wheeler gets what he deserves, and the Phillies lock him up for the remainder of his prime.
Now, are Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell still a possibility? Not sure. If anything, it is a one-year deal.
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