Phillies Break MLB Records After Extending Zack Wheeler’s Deal
The pitcher just signed a big new contract!
In an effort to keep Zack Wheeler from joining another MLB team as a free agent, the Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly opted to offer him a new contract deal.
The New York Post reports that Wheeler and the Phillies have reached an agreement on a $126 million, three-year deal extension.
This means that the pitcher, 33, will remain with Philadelphia through the end of the 2027 campaign rather than becoming a free agency in the fall.
As Wheeler approached the last year of his $118 million, five-year contract, concerns were raised about his long-term prospects. He has, however, committed to a new contract with star teammates Trea Turner and Bryce Harper, who have contracts that go through 2031 and 2033, respectively, as a result of the extension.
After reaching a deal with the team, where he has been since 2020, Wheeler spoke about the renewal and expressed his happiness.
In a Monday press conference, Wheeler stated, “This is a first-rate organization, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Dave Dombrowski, the president of the Phillies, expressed his happiness over retaining Wheeler on the team as well: “When he takes that ball in the postseason, there’s no one I would rather be there than Zack”
Wheeler, who was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, was dealt to the New York Mets in 2011.
Still, he only made five appearances in the mound. He missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons due to Tommy John surgery, and in December 2019, he signed a free agent contract with the Phillies.
Zack Wheeler of Phillies: New MLB Record
Commencing in 2025, Wheeler’s contract extension will have the highest compensation for a contract extension in baseball history, with an average salary of $42 million year.
It’s on par with the highest-paying contracts that pitchers have ever inked. The Mets signed Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer to contracts worth an average of $43.3 million year (AAV).
After making it to the World Series and NLCS the previous two seasons, the Phillies came just short of winning their first pennant since 2008.
