The Philadelphia Phillies were in danger of losing their ace, Zack Wheeler, as a free agent after the end of the World Series.
However, they moved quickly and swiftly to prevent that from happening, offering the player a lucrative extension.
Luckily for them, he accepted: it is a three-year, $126 million pact that will pay him a whopping $42 million per year.
If someone deserves that kind of payday, it’s certainly Wheeler, who had a 3.61 ERA in 192 frames last year with the Phils but has a fantastic 2.42 playoff ERA in 63.1 innings in Philadelphia.
Fans, of course, were ecstatic that their team was able to lock up the 33-year-old.
earned every penny
— Joeyc12304 (@Joeyc123041) March 4, 2024
Love it! Now someone tell the Offense that you can't win the WS with one swing in the CS. There is zero excuse for that loss to Arizona? Seriously? Sure, HR's make for good IG posts, but I hope Phi learned about Small Ball from an inferior team. Fun team to watch, let's go!
— Donnie Becker (@DonnieBecker00) March 4, 2024
Great move by the Phils. Well deserved. #WheelsUp
— Jim McLaughlin (@JimMac1975) March 4, 2024
Others, however, couldn’t help but point out that they consider the pitcher to be overpaid.
A bit overpaid
— Nate (@BigNateTwelve) March 4, 2024
42 MILLION??!!! Snell seeing this deal thinking about that short term deal.
— Behind The Box Score (@BTBSPODCAST1) March 4, 2024
What some people fail to realize is that what Wheeler got is the price for proven top-end pitching talent.
Yes, it might be a bit higher than the usual free-agent deal for a pitcher, but Wheeler and his agent probably asked for something similar to what he might have earned in the open market, and the team gave it to him.
That’s not an outrageous ask: it’s actually logical and justifiable.
That’s what elite starting pitchers get and will get in free agency next offseason.
Besides, that’s what a pitcher who is capable of posting a 2.42 postseason ERA as a starter will make.
Premium pitching matters.
The agreement was short to benefit the team (it could have been counterproductive to give the player a six or seven-year deal) and loaded with money to benefit the pitcher.
All parties win.
NEXT: Phillies, Zack Wheeler Agree To Historic Deal