Phillies in Agreement to Extend Ace Pitcher to Multi-Year Extension
The Philadelphia Phillies came to an agreement with Aaron Nola to keep him around in the early stages of the offseason and have now extended their other ace-caliber pitcher.
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Phillies are in agreement with Zack Wheeler on a multi-year extension. Olney adds that Wheeler will accumulate 10-5 rights and will have the power to veto any trade.
Wheeler, 33 years old, has shown no signs of slowing down. When at the top of his game, he's one of the best pitchers in baseball for a Philadelphia team that needs elite starting pitching in the postseason.
Wheeler posted a 3.61 ERA, the highest in his four seasons with the team, but posted a 3.15 FIP. The 2021 All-Star and Cy Young runner-up has done nothing but give the organization valuable innings since the day he arrived.
Extending Wheeler also shows the rest of the team and future free agents that the Phillies expect to contend for the foreseeable future.
With a window to win now, Bryce Harper looking to sign an extension, Trea Turner having another 10 years on his contract, and Nola's extension, the core will stay together for at least another few seasons.
Extending Wheeler was a no-brainer given his production. No matter the price, Philadelphia likely wasn't going to find an arm that produces the way he has. Factor in that Wheeler has proven he can pitch in front of a tough Philadelphia crowd and this made even more sense.
It was reported that the two wanted to get a deal done and they did just that right before the season started.
