Another marquee name is off the MLB free agent market.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed starting pitcher Zack Wheeler to a five-year deal worth $118 million. It’s the biggest free agent contract signed so far this winter.
The 29-year-old Wheeler is coming off an 11-win season with the NL East rival New York Mets. He pitched 195.1 innings and recorded 195 strikeouts, posting an ERA of 3.96 and a WAR of 4.1.
Wheeler had spent his first five professional seasons with the Mets, totaling 44 wins against 38 losses with an ERA of 3.77. He was a key part of a dominant rotation that also included Noah Syndergaard and two-time NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom.
The signing comes one day after the Cincinnati Reds inked three-time All-Star slugger Mike Moustakas to a four-year deal worth $64 million. In just 24 hours, the 2019-20 MLB free agent market is moving much faster compared to last year.
Wheeler joins a Phillies rotation that includes All-Star Jake Arrieta and Aaron Nola. Philadelphia is coming off a disappointing 81-81 2019 season, which was full of sky-high expectations and World Series aspirations.
Related: Mike Moustakas Signs Four-Year, $64 Million Contract With Reds
Last offseason, the Phillies landed 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper on a 13-year deal worth a record $330 million. Philadelphia also landed 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen on a three-year, $50 million deal. On top of those big moves, they acquired utility infielder Jean Segura and All-Star J.T. Realmuto in separate trades.
The disappointing 2019 season forced the Phillies to make one big change. Manager Gabe Kapler was fired, and Philadelphia hired former New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi to take over the position.
The Phillies spent several years trying to build up a championship contender through the farm system, but ownership is going the quick route by throwing around big dollars at big-named free agents. It didn’t work last season, but perhaps Wheeler will be able to reverse their fortunes in 2020.
Next: Top 10 Most Expensive Major League Bullpens
Source: Read Full Article