The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Monday that they’ve secured Zack Wheeler for an additional three years, extending his contract through the 2027 season, thereby averting the potential free agency of the star pitcher. This new deal, valued at $126 million according to insiders, marks a milestone in baseball history with Wheeler set to earn an average annual salary of $42 million, the highest in the sport’s annals. Wheeler expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing his fondness for the city of Philadelphia and its passionate fanbase.
Wheeler, currently in the final season of his previous five-year, $118 million contract, has proven his mettle with the Phillies, a franchise known for investing in top-tier talent like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Aaron Nola. The absence of a formal no-trade clause in Wheeler’s new contract is compensated by the forthcoming 10-and-5 rights, granting him veto power over any potential trade after completing five seasons with the team.
The Phillies’ commitment to retaining Wheeler reflects his stellar performance, boasting a 3.06 ERA and 137 adjusted ERA+ over his four seasons with the team, alongside 675 strikeouts across 629⅓ innings. Wheeler’s significance to the franchise was underscored by owner John Middleton’s prior assertion that he wouldn’t trade the pitcher for baseball legends Babe Ruth or Ted Williams.
Drafted sixth overall by the San Francisco Giants in 2009, Wheeler’s journey to stardom saw him traded to the New York Mets in 2011, where he endured setbacks due to injury before finding his stride as a top-tier pitcher.