After agreeing to a three-year contract extension on Monday, Zack Wheeler has earned his next payday. Wheeler told CBS Philadelphia’s Don Bell that he has really enjoyed being in Philadelphia. “I’ve really just enjoyed being here in Philly,” Wheeler said. “The fans are the best. Playing in Citizens Bank (Park) in October, there’s nothing like it.”
With his contract extension, Wheeler will have the highest-ever annual average value for a Phillie—$42 million. Additionally, it’s the biggest AAV in a contract renewal ever.
Behind Shohei Ohtani’s $46 million, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander, who all inked $43.3 million AAV contracts with the New York Mets, the starters at $42 million AAV is the fourth highest in MLB.
One of the best starters in baseball, Wheeler, 34, inked a five-year, $118 million contract with the Phillies in 2019 as a free agency.
Since joining the Phillies in 2019, the righty has the highest Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of any starting pitcher in MLB, according to MLB-Reference.
Phillies president Dave Dombrowski stated, “Let’s establish right now, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball.” “Is he the top, middle, or bottom? We don’t need to discuss that. He’s among the greatest, though. And the truth is that he’s among the finest big-game pitchers in baseball when you start talking about him being one of the best pitchers overall. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have take the ball than Zack during the postseason.”
Wheeler has surpassed his contract by $36.1 million, according to FanGraphs’ WAR to Dollars formula. The well-known baseball statistics website estimates Wheeler’s earnings throughout his four seasons with the Phillies to be $154.1 million.
Wheeler stated to reporters on February 14 that he was paid less to sign with Philadelphia in 2019 and that he should receive “what I feel like I’ve earned.”
“I want to be paid on how I’ve done, what they expect out of me,” he stated. To me, it’s not just about the money. It took me less time to get here, be content, and be in a good place.”
Wheeler has received votes for Cy Young three times in his four seasons with the Phillies; in 2021, he finished second to Corbin Burnes.
After recording a 3.61 ERA in 192.0 innings pitched during the previous season, Wheeler placed sixth in the National League Cy Young Award voting. His first Gold Glove was also won by him.
Wheeler had a history of injuries when he joined the Phillies, but he has been able to alter the course. He’s been a dependable innings-eater and starter. With 629⅓ innings, he has thrown the fourth-most in MLB since 2020; Aaron Nola is in third place with 650⅓ innings.
Over the past several seasons, Wheeler’s velocity has decreased, but he has responded by using more offspeed throws to keep his advantage.
Over the last two postseasons, Wheeler has reached a new level in the postseason; in 63⅓ playoff innings since 2022, he has a 2.42 ERA.
The Phillies have their starting rotation set for the foreseeable future with Wheeler secured and Nola inked for seven more seasons; top pitching prospect Andrew Painter might arrive in 2025. Painter is on the mend following surgery for Tommy John.
