Phillies, Wheeler ink 3-year deal reportedly worth $126M
The Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler agreed to a three-year contract extension, the team announced Monday.
Wheeler's deal will pay him $126 million, a source told The Athletic's Matt Gelb.
The extension begins in 2025, according to Gelb, who notes Wheeler's average annual salary of $42 million is the highest ever for a Phillies player and the fourth-highest ever for a starting pitcher.
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 deal contains no options, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The hurler is reportedly entitled to 10-and-5 rights at the end of this year, meaning he'll receive full no-trade protection following that point.
"My outlook on it, like I said - I don't want to be old old out there, maybe not doing my best, pitching-wise," Wheeler said, according to The Athletic's Alex Coffey.
"I think it works out for me, I think it works out for the team, and I think we're all in agreement on that."
Wheeler compiled a 13-6 record with a 3.61 ERA and 212 strikeouts in 192 innings last season. He's been one of baseball's elite starting pitchers over four campaigns in Philadelphia, producing a 3.06 ERA with 675 strikeouts in 629 1/3 innings.
Wheeler inked a five-year, $118-million deal with the Phillies in 2019 after spending the first five years of his career with the New York Mets.
The 33-year-old was set for free agency after the 2024 campaign, in which he'll earn $23.5 million.
Wheeler's extension follows the offseason re-signing of Philadelphia's other top starter, Aaron Nola, who inked a seven-year, $172-million contract in November.
Wheeler and Nola pitched well in the postseason for the Phillies, who were upset by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS.