Phillies Reportedly Sign Former Mets Pitcher Zack Wheeler to Deal in Excess of $100 Million
By Thomas Carannante
It's a game of musical chairs in the NL East, and the Philadelphia Phillies struck shortly after the Atlanta Braves signed veteran lefty Cole Hamels.
Philly has reportedly poached Zack Wheeler from the New York Mets, and the right-hander will be staying in the division to torment his former teammates.
The Phillies have reached an agreement with Zack Wheeler, sources tell @TheAthletic. The ex-Met stays in the NL East, and close to New Jersey, where Wheeler’s wife is from.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) December 4, 2019
Zack Wheeler Contract Details
Wheeler's deal is officially for five years and $118 million, cementing his status as an elite earner (but surprisingly not veering into six years of security). With a market this robust, we thought teams might have to splurge and tack on a year to add his services.
Wheeler with #Phillies, per source: Five years, $118M
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2019
The 29-year-old struck gold after logging just 126 starts since 2013.
The #Phillies sign Zack Wheeler, per @MarcCarig. He received deal in excess of $100 million.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 4, 2019
Is this going to be a problem for JD Davis and Brandon Nimmo?
Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a five-year deal worth more than $100 million, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 4, 2019
This move now helps deepen a struggling Phillies rotation that features Jake Arrieta, Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin and Vince Velasquez. But the front office shouldn't be done yet, because Arrieta is in the final year of his deal, while Eflin and Velasquez aren't exactly consistent and durable.
Expect the starting pitching market to move quickly after Wheeler and Hamels already found new homes before the Winter Meetings. We knew Wheeler wanted to move quickly, but...this quickly?!