Huge news in the baseball world was reported as the Philadelphia Phillies and star Zack Wheeler agreed on a three year, $126 million contract extension after a stellar season Monday. Wheeler spoke to the media alongside the team’s president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to talk about the deal.
The newly-paid pitcher made sure to express that he doesn’t want to pitch when he is “old-old” as he is currently 33 years old, turning 34 in late May according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
“I do enjoy pitching, and I want to be here,” Wheeler said. “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.”
Last season for the Phillies, Wheeler had a record of 13-6, pitched a 3.61 ERA, and threw 212 strikeouts. Looking at his original contract he signed with Philadelphia back in 2019 where it was five year, $118 million, he’s been 43-25 with a 3.06 ERA in 101 starts, which is the best ERA in that span since such pitchers as Corbin Burnes, Maz Scherzer, and Shane Bieber according to Zolecki.
