Spring Training for the Philadelphia Phillies is just one month away, and the team’s recent offseason actions have drawn a lot of attention, or lack thereof. Will the Phillies finally create a stir in the coming weeks with so many elite free agents still available?
The Phillies haven’t exactly been frugal with their cash during this protracted Hot Stove season. Aaron Nola was re-signed by the organisation in November for a seven-year, $172 million contract. Rob Thomson, the manager of the Phillies, was also extended until the 2025 season during the December MLB Winter Meetings.
Due to recent remarks made by a well-known baseball insider, there has been renewed discussion about a contract extension for Zack Wheeler, even though we still have to wait and see whether the Phillies make any free agent moves this winter.
Ken Rosenthal thinks Zack Wheeler will be extended by the Phillies during spring training.
When baseball insider Ken Rosenthal recently appeared as a guest on the Foul Territory podcast, podcast co-host and former major league catcher Eric Kratz asked Rosenthal if the Phillies and Atlanta Braves would be open to trading starting pitchers Zack Wheeler and Maz Fried in order to create space for a free agent signing such as Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery.
“I don’t see it,” Rosenthal answered. Not every pitcher or player can succeed in Philadelphia, but Wheeler has been successful there, so the Phillies want to extend him. Thus, the Phillies [are] obviously signalling that they want to extend Wheeler, and I anticipate that will happen during spring training.”
There have already been discussions of a Zack Wheeler extension throughout this offseason. Although there had been talks between the team and the player, nothing was deemed close at the time, according to a November report from Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
Wheeler is currently regarded as Major League Baseball’s sixth-best starting pitcher by MLB Network. In 32 starts in 2023, the right-hander finished 13-6 with a 3.61 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
It would be shocking if a Wheeler extension isn’t completed by Opening Day, as there are currently several stories a few months apart.
