Philadelphia Phillies Sign Zack Wheeler To Contract Extension
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed Zack Wheeler to a three-year contract extension. The 33-year-old right-hander is entering the final season of a five-year deal he signed before the 2020 season. The deal is reportedly worth $126 million, which equates to $42 million in average annual value. It’s the highest average salary of any pitcher in MLB history. The contract will run from 2025-27.
The Wheels are still rolling in Philly pic.twitter.com/dR53ZnaqjQ
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 4, 2024
Zack Wheeler
Extending Wheeler climbed to the top of the list of priorities for Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies after they inked Aaron Nola to a seven-year contract extension in November.
The Phillies landed Wheeler in December 2019 on what ultimately turned out to be a bargain contract. His track record qualifies him as one of the best free agent signings in Philadelphia sports history. Madison Bumgarner, who ultimately faded into the twilight of his career, proved to be a less desirable candidate.
Wheeler posted an ERA under 3.00 in each of his first three seasons with the Phillies. The number climbed to 3.61 in 2023. However, he still pitched at the top of one of the best starting rotations in the majors. He’s also proved himself as a shutdown option in the postseason.
Rob Thomson turned to his ace in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Round and the NLCS during the run to the 2022 World Series. The Phillies skipper also rode Wheeler during the 2023 postseason. The high-priced righty pitched 26 innings in four starts, including two NLCS victories, holding opponents to six earned runs.
Wheeler also pitched 1 ⅔ shutout innings in relief in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“We think Zack is as good as any pitcher in baseball right now. Not to mention one of the best big game pitchers in baseball. I can’t think of anybody I’d want to have the ball in a big game other than Zack.”
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) March 4, 2024
-Dave Dombrowski on Zack Wheeler
Phillies 2024
The starting rotation should be a major strength of the 2024 Phillies. Nola will look to bounce back from a disappointing effort in 2023. A long major league track record indicates that he has the stuff to pitch as a second starter for a playoff team.
Ranger Suarez is a great option as the third starter, and Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sanchez will pitch at the bottom of the rotation.
The Phillies have now have their ace solidified in Spring Training after the Zack Wheeler contract extension. They’ll open up the 2024 regular season against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on March 28.
What does it take for a player to elevate to legendary status in Philadelphia?@JohnKincade says whatever it is, Zack Wheeler did it on Saturday night.
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) October 23, 2023
“There has to be a moment, and I think Saturday night was that moment. He’s a legendary Phillie now in my mind.”
Agree? pic.twitter.com/hKXSGieB71
Watch The John Kincade Show on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page for discussion about the latest breaking sports news in Philadelphia.
History of Philadelphia Phillies World Series Appearances
Ya Gotta' Believe (1980)
The franchise began as the Philadelphia Quakers in 1883, and the first World Series took place 20 years later. However, Phillies fans had to wait until 1980 to celebrate their first World Series.
Mike Schmidt led the team with two home runs and seven RBIs in the series. Tug McGraw struck out Willie Wilson for the final out in Game 6 at Veterans Stadium end the drought.
Macho Row Falls to Joe Carter (1993)
The 1993 Phillies became one of the most beloved teams in Philadelphia sports history because of the “Macho Row” mentality that landed so perfectly with the fan base. A colorful mix of personalities like Curt Schilling, Lenny Dykstra, and John Kruk helped push the Phillies past the Braves in the NLCS.
One of the most infamous moments in franchise history ended the memorable ride. Mitch Williams surrendered a walk-off home run to Joe Carter in the 9th inning of the Game 6 clincher.
Surviving Mother Nature (2008)
The Phillies announced a new era of dominance in 2007 by storming back on the New York Mets for their first playoff appearance in 14 years. However, they left the fan base hungry for more with a quick playoff exit. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Cole Hamels delivered one year later with an unforgettable playoff run.
Shane Victorino’s grand slam helped the Phillies to a commanding lead in the NLDS. Matt Stairs hit an absolute moonshot at Dodger Stadium. Utley made the best heads-up play in MLB history for the third out of the 7th inning in the clincher.
Mother Nature made them wait two extra days, but Brad Lidge eventually threw the final strike to break a 25-year championship drought for major professional sports teams in Philadelphia. Hamels took home the hardware as the World Series MVP at age 24.
Just Short of Back-to-Back World Series (2009)
The defending NL champions sunk the Dodgers again in the NLCS to advance back to the World Series. Cliff Lee dominated a stacked Yankees lineup in Game 1, but the Phillies ultimately ran out of gas just short of the finish line.
Cole Hamels ended his disappointing 2009 season with a Game 3 loss. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Hideki Matsui overwhelmed a pitching staff that didn’t have enough behind Lee to win consecutive titles.
"Dancing On My Own" To A Miracle Run (2022)
The Phillies backed into the 2022 MLB Playoffs, but their first postseason trip in over a decade made the fan base forget quickly. A 9th inning rally in the postseason opener raised some eyebrows, and the Phillies set themselves up for the triumphant return of Red October at Citizens Bank Park.
The Atlanta Braves didn’t know what hit them in an NLDS stunner, and Bryce Harper capped off the NLCS with the swing of his life against the San Diego Padres.
Only the Houston Astros stood in the way. The Phillies slugged their way to a 2-1 lead in front of a raucous crowd in Philadelphia, but the Astros responded with a combined no-hitter in Game 4 to suck the momentum out of the miracle Red October run. The series ended with another heartbreaker in a Game 6 loss in Houston.
