The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a new extension with their ace Zack Wheeler, officially announcing the news on Monday. Wheeler inked a three-year extension that will keep him with the organization through the 2027 MLB season.

The Phillies were motivated to lock Wheeler on a new deal, considering he was set to become a free agent at the end of the 2024 campaign. To do so, they reportedly gave him a contract worth a record $126 million over the course of three years.

Wheeler’s deal is the biggest-ever extension given to the player in MLB history in terms of an average annual salary of $42 million. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are paid $43.33 million annually, but both players signed their deals as free agents.

Wheeler had a strong 2023 campaign in which he pitched 192.0 innings. He had a 13-6 record with a 3.61 ERA and 212 strikeouts while also winning Gold Glove Award. 

“I do enjoy pitching, and I want to be here,” Wheeler told reporters on Monday. “I love competing. But I don’t want to play until I’m old-old. And I want to be around my family. But I’m definitely enjoying the moment here, enjoying every moment I take the mound. It’s special, and not everybody gets to do it. Not everybody gets to do it as long as I have. I’m grateful for that.”

The post Phillies and Ace Zack Wheeler Agree to a Record 3-Year, $126 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Philadelphia Phillies are making a splash in free agency for a second offseason in a row. After bringing in Bryce Harper on a record deal last offseason, Phillies now agreed to a deal with pitcher Zack Wheeler.

According to ESPN, Wheeler agreed to a five-year, $118 million contract with Phillies on Wednesday.  The 29-year-old was among the most sought-after free agents available and has reportedly chosen Philadelphia despite having more lucrative offers on the table.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Wheeler, who spent his entire MLB career with New York Mets, rejected an offer from Chicago White Sox that was in the range of $120 million.

Zack Wheeler was drafted sixth overall in 2009 by San Francisco Giants in 2009, but failed to make a single MLB appearance for the franchise before being traded to the Mets in 2011. Wheeler showed early promise in New York, but his career was derailed by a Tommy John surgery in 2015.

Wheeler’s best performances came in the last two seasons, combining 60 starts and posting a 23-15 record.  He had a 3.65 ERA and added 374 strikeouts.

Phillies were in a search for a starting pitcher after a disappointing 2019 MLB season, but they couldn’t compete for the like of top coveted free agent pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. In Wheeler they got a reliable starter for the future, considering Jake Arrieta is entering the final year of his contract next season.

The post Pitcher Zack Wheeler Agrees to a 5-Year, $118 Million Deal With Phillies appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a new extension with their ace Zack Wheeler, officially announcing the news on Monday. Wheeler inked a three-year extension that will keep him with the organization through the 2027 MLB season.

The Phillies were motivated to lock Wheeler on a new deal, considering he was set to become a free agent at the end of the 2024 campaign. To do so, they reportedly gave him a contract worth a record $126 million over the course of three years.

Wheeler’s deal is the biggest-ever extension given to the player in MLB history in terms of an average annual salary of $42 million. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are paid $43.33 million annually, but both players signed their deals as free agents.

Wheeler had a strong 2023 campaign in which he pitched 192.0 innings. He had a 13-6 record with a 3.61 ERA and 212 strikeouts while also winning Gold Glove Award. 

“I do enjoy pitching, and I want to be here,” Wheeler told reporters on Monday. “I love competing. But I don’t want to play until I’m old-old. And I want to be around my family. But I’m definitely enjoying the moment here, enjoying every moment I take the mound. It’s special, and not everybody gets to do it. Not everybody gets to do it as long as I have. I’m grateful for that.”

The post Phillies and Ace Zack Wheeler Agree to a Record 3-Year, $126 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Philadelphia Phillies are making a splash in free agency for a second offseason in a row. After bringing in Bryce Harper on a record deal last offseason, Phillies now agreed to a deal with pitcher Zack Wheeler.

According to ESPN, Wheeler agreed to a five-year, $118 million contract with Phillies on Wednesday.  The 29-year-old was among the most sought-after free agents available and has reportedly chosen Philadelphia despite having more lucrative offers on the table.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Wheeler, who spent his entire MLB career with New York Mets, rejected an offer from Chicago White Sox that was in the range of $120 million.

Zack Wheeler was drafted sixth overall in 2009 by San Francisco Giants in 2009, but failed to make a single MLB appearance for the franchise before being traded to the Mets in 2011. Wheeler showed early promise in New York, but his career was derailed by a Tommy John surgery in 2015.

Wheeler’s best performances came in the last two seasons, combining 60 starts and posting a 23-15 record.  He had a 3.65 ERA and added 374 strikeouts.

Phillies were in a search for a starting pitcher after a disappointing 2019 MLB season, but they couldn’t compete for the like of top coveted free agent pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. In Wheeler they got a reliable starter for the future, considering Jake Arrieta is entering the final year of his contract next season.

The post Pitcher Zack Wheeler Agrees to a 5-Year, $118 Million Deal With Phillies appeared first on SportzBonanza.