Zack Wheeler Signs MASSIVE Extension With Phillies, See It Here
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 08: Pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies is doused with water by Zach Eflin #56 after pitching a two-hit complete game shutout against the New York Mets in a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 8, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 3-0. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
According to ESPN and Buster Olney, Zack Wheeler has reached a massive agreement in a contract extension. This news is breaking as of Monday, March 4th just after 10am.
According to the ESPN article, Wheeler has reached an agreement with our Philadelphia Phillies for a three-year, $126 million extension. He is in his final year of a five year, $118 million deal. This means that he will be making $42 million a year, which is the largest and most lucrative extension in the history of the game of baseball. This is in terms of average annual value.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 23: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres in game five of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Zach Wheeler Career Stats
Zack Wheeler’s career stats speak for themselves. His win/loss record is 87-13 with a 3.45 ERA. In 227 games pitched, he’s stuck out 1401 batters while only walking 405 batters. He has spent nine years in Major League Baseball with the first five of those years with the division rival New York Mets.
Largest Contract Extensions Ever
Some players have signed extensions for much more money but along with more years. Manny Machado signed a massive extension with the San Diego Padres in 2023. The deal was for 11-years and $350 million, working out to be just shy of $32 million a year.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 07: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a home run against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 07, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The largest amount of money in a contact extension was giving to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts. He signed a $365 million deal for 12 years. That deal isn’t even the most amount of years of all time, believe it or not. Fernando Tatis Jr. actually signed an extension for 14 years in his $340 million deal.
Phillies Wearing Controversial MLB Jerseys In Media Photoshoot
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the 2024 MLB jerseys. Mostly that they are not the same quality of the product from the past. The Phillies did their annual media shoot to get each member of the team all dressed up and looking good for whatever they might need this year. But, can you tell the difference in the jerseys? We talked about it on The Anide Summers Show.
MLB Jersey Controversy
The new jerseys were designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics, who is largely based in Philadelphia. A lot of fans are saying that they look cheap. Players haven’t been quiet about their discomfort with them either.
The Phillies classic look will not longer be chain-stitched. More details on that from Uniwatch. In looking closely below, you can tell the stitching of the Phillies on the chest is not stitched the same way.
And then, on top of that, the names on the back of the jersey are very much different. They seem to be, in my personal opinion, pressed on instead of beautifully stitched on. As a life long baseball fan, I am disappointed because the authentic jersey is supposed to be the amazing cream of the crop! But now, it doesn’t look that way.
It looks like I could iron those letters on and make my own MLB jersey, wouldn’t you agree?
MLB See Through Pants
But really it was the pants that had people shocked. Mostly because the white ones are pretty much see through! Photos have bouncing all over the internet of players maybe showing a little too much. Here’s Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
The Phillies are lucky because they do have the pinstripes that kind of distract from what it is inevitably see through so not as bad as other uniforms but still not great. You be the judge of the Phillies home jersey in the new Nike/Fanatics style. What do you think?
Jeff Kurkjian is the morning show co-host on "The Andie Summers Show" on 92.5 XTU, Philly's Country Station. He's the nationally syndicated show host of "Jeff Kurkjian's Backstage Country." As a content creator for 92.5 XTU he shares his perspective of being a dad, husband, country music and sports, specifically baseball.
