CLEARWATER, Fla. — At spring coaching final yr, a key query surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies was whether or not pending free agent Aaron Nola would return after his contract expired.
Now, it is Zack Wheeler‘s flip.
The appropriate-hander has been value each penny of his $118 million, five-year cope with the Phillies, however that contract expires after this season.
On Wednesday, as pitchers and catchers reported to Phillies camp, Wheeler mentioned it is attainable a long-term deal may occur earlier than the common season.
“Yeah, I feel they’ve talked,” Wheeler mentioned of negotiations between his agent and the group. “I do know they’re chatting. I feel it may occur any time, actually.”
The 33-year-old Wheeler mentioned he does not have a precise greenback determine in thoughts. The Phillies signed Nola to a $172 million, seven -year contract in November after he examined free company.
“I wish to be paid on how I’ve carried out, what they count on out of me,” mentioned Wheeler, who will earn $23.6 million this season. “It isn’t all concerning the cash to me. I took much less to return right here and be in a great spot, be comfortable. I do need what I really feel like I’ve earned.”
Wheeler has completed prime 12 in Cy Younger Award voting in three of his 4 seasons with Philadelphia, together with as runner-up in 2021. He is 43-25 with a 3.06 ERA in that span, rating fourth with 629 1/3 regular-season innings — solely Nola, Gerrit Cole and Sandy Alcantara have pitched extra.
Wheeler’s 2.42 ERA within the playoffs is sixth-best in MLB historical past for pitchers with not less than 10 begins.
“I’ve carried out nicely the previous couple years, previous few years, so hopefully that speaks for itself,” Wheeler mentioned. “I do not see any strain, a method or one other. I am leaving that to my agent and the entrance workplace. I am hands-off and listening.”
Wheeler and Nola are anchors for a rotation that additionally contains Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sanchez. One ace is already locked up. Supervisor Rob Thomson hopes to proceed having each.
“We love Zack Wheeler,” Thomson mentioned. “He is an enormous a part of this ball membership. I do not actually know if we’re within the contract negotiation, inform the reality. I can let you know this, although, everyone right here on this group loves Zack Wheeler.”
After Wednesday’s bullpen session and staff drills, Wheeler mentioned he isn’t setting a deadline for an extension to get carried out. Some gamers refuse to barter as soon as the common season begins.
“I’ve seen different guys do it, however that is their cup of tea,” he mentioned. “Hopefully it does (get carried out earlier than the season). I adore it right here. It is a good group, we’re profitable and issues are wanting nice and proper. I would like to be right here.”
After watching Nola change into a free agent, solely to re-sign with Philadelphia, Wheeler likes his bargaining place both manner.
“It is about everyone being comfortable on the identical time,” he mentioned. “You do not wish to be depressing and getting paid so much. I’ve all the time favored the group from the skin wanting in.”
Though Nola did not converse to reporters Wednesday, he was at camp and took part in staff drills.
“He seems like one million bucks proper now,” Thomson joked. “It does not matter whether or not it is a spring coaching recreation or World Collection recreation. It does not matter whether or not he is making $700,000 or no matter he is making now. He goes about his enterprise like a real skilled.”
