What Zack Wheeler's Historic Extension Means for the Phillies
By Thomas Erbe
After signing Aaron Nola to kick off free agency, the Philadelphia Phillies have been quiet during this offseason. They fell out of the races for the top free agents but are still considered contenders coming out of the NL East. Now, they have prolonged their contending window by signing pitcher Zack Wheeler to a contract extension.
Wheeler and the Phillies have agreed to an extension to keep him in Philadelphia through the 2027 season. He was due to become a free agent after the 2024 season, but the Phillies were able to strike the iron while hot and lock him up for another four seasons. And they did so in historic fashion.
Breaking Down Wheeler/Phillies Historic Extension
The three-year extension that will keep Wheeler in Philadelphia through 2027 is worth $126 million. Wheeler will be paid $42 million yearly to stay in the Phillies rotation. In terms of average annual value, this is the most expensive extension in MLB history. Wheeler's annual value is just under what the Mets paid Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander to come to New York, but he will still be among the highest-paid pitchers ever.
While the deal does not include any no-trade clauses, Wheeler's service time will soon allow him to veto any trade.
MLB has a rule known as "10-and-5-Rights," which enables players with ten years of MLB service and five years of service for their team the right to veto a trade. Wheeler will surpass both of those benchmarks in 2024.
The contract is a message to Phillies fans that the organization plans to continue to compete for championships with their current core competing players. Wheeler, Nola, Bryce Harper, and Trea Turner are now toward the league's top in terms of salary. The Phills are putting their money where their mouth is to try and bring another trophy to the Bank.
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