Following their unsuccessful bid for free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Philadelphia Phillies have redirected their attention towards securing an extension for right-handed pitcher Zack Wheeler.
Reportedly, the team’s top priority now is finalizing a contract extension with ace pitcher Zack Wheeler. This pursuit was always part of their plans, irrespective of their efforts to sign Yamamoto, with sources suggesting the Phillies’ emphasis on locking in Wheeler for the long term.
With Wheeler set to become a free agent after the upcoming season, the length of the potential deal remains uncertain, given his age of 33. It’s likely that the team might need to offer a contract spanning three to four years to entice him to forgo testing free agency.
Wheeler boasts an extensive major league career spanning nine seasons. He debuted with the New York Mets in 2013, faced injury sidelining in 2015 and 2016, and joined the Phillies before the COVID-affected 2020 season. Notably, Wheeler played a role in the Phillies’ journey to the World Series in 2022, demonstrating consistent performance with six seasons of double-digit wins, including a 13-6 record in the most recent season. His career stats tally an 87-63 record with a 3.45 ERA, earning him an All-Star nod in the 2021 season.
Financial constraints remain uncertain for the Phillies, who have already secured long-term deals with key players like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Aaron Nola, Kyle Schwarber, and Nick Castellanos. Additionally, there’s a desire to rework Harper’s contract.
Despite these negotiations, the Phillies’ recent success, reaching the NLCS last season, indicates an ambitious team keen on reinforcing its roster for continued competitiveness.
