While this past offseason class of starting pitchers may not have been particularly strong for teams, next year’s looks good. Pitchers such as Corbin Burnes, Zack Wheeler, Max Fried, Walker Buehler, and Shane Bieber were scheduled to hit the market next offseason. Dylan Cease could also be traded. However, one is now off the board as the Philadelphia Phillies have ensured their best pitcher will remain in the City of Brotherly Love.
Phillies Agree To A Contract Extension With Zack Wheeler
On Monday, the Phillies agreed to a multi-year contract extension with Zack Wheeler. The deal is 3 years, $126 million, with a $42 million AAV. That AAV makes is the highest ever given to an extension in MLB history,
Zack Wheeler and the Phillies have agreed to a multi-year extension. Wheeler would have been the No. 1 pitcher free agent next fall, but instead, he stays in Philly. By season’s end, he will also accumulate 10-5 rights, and with that the power to veto any trade. Announcement…
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 4, 2024
Zack Wheeler’s 3-year, $126 million extension is the highest annual salary for any contract extension ever.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 4, 2024
Wheeler’s $42 million AAV is the highest for an extension in history.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 4, 2024
Wheeler’s extension is a straight three-year deal. He will have 10-5 rights at the end of this year, getting him full no-trade rights. There are no options in the contract, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 4, 2024
Wheeler’s impact in Philadelphia
Getting this deal done is significant for the Phillies. Philadelphia also got a new contract done with Aaron Nola earlier this offseason. After having an inconsistent run with the New York Mets, Wheeler has taken off with the Phillies. Wheeler is 43-25 in four seasons in Philadelphia with a 3.06 ERA and 675 strikeouts. His best year came in 2021. That year, he went 14-10 with career-bests in ERA (2.82), strikeouts (247), and innings pitched (213.1). Wheeler has also been effective in the playoffs. He pitched to a 2.78 ERA in their 2022 run to the World Series. Last postseason, he pitched to a 1.95 ERA. With Nola and now Wheeler extended, Philadelphia will have their two top pitchers for years to come as they compete for a championship.
Main Photo Credits: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
