The Phillies are reportedly among two teams “heavily involved” in bidding for free-agent starting pitcher RHP Zack Wheeler.
It is no secret that the Philadelphia Phillies need to improve their starting rotation this offseason if they want to be able to contend in 2020 under new manager Joe Girardi.
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While more lucrative starting pitchers still remain on the board, such as Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, the Phillies reportedly are among two teams “heavily involved” in a pursuit of fellow right-handed free agent starting pitcher Zack Wheeler, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney early Wednesday morning.
Olney writes:
"The bidding for right-hander Zack Wheeler continues to progress toward resolution, with the Philadelphia Phillies seen by sources as the most potent bidders … The Phillies have a need for starting pitching help, and with Jake Arrieta entering the last year of his deal, Philadelphia has big-market budget power and some forthcoming payroll flexibility."
Just hours before, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported that Wheeler signing before the Winter Meetings begin in San Diego on Monday is “very possible, maybe even probable.”
The Zack Wheeler bidding continues to move toward resolution: The Phillies and Reds heavily involved, with the White Sox and Texas also engaged. The Phillies seen by agents as extremely motivated in their pursuit of starting pitching this winter.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 4, 2019
Olney adds that the Phillies are “seen by agents as extremely motivated in their pursuit of starting pitching this winter,” and that the bidding for Wheeler “continues to move toward resolution.”
The Phillies’ such motivation will not lead to low-risk signings they are comfortable with; rather, long-term commitments with high AAVs. Wheeler’s will be among the latter such deals, whomever signs him this offseason. The 29-year-old has received at least one $100 million offer already, and he is expected to ink a five-year deal in excess of that amount, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
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Wheeler, 29, is a five-year veteran and former sixth overall draft pick; he has a career 3.77 ERA through 126 starts, all of which came with the division-rival New York Mets. This past season among National League pitchers, Wheeler logged the ninth-most innings pitched (195 1/3), but yielded the second-most hits (196) and ninth-most earned runs (86) while facing the sixth-most batters (828).
Wheeler has started in more than 18 games just three times in his career: 2014 (32), 2018 (29) and 2019 (31). He missed all of the 2015 and 2016 seasons due to Tommy John surgery and a mild flexor strain in his right arm.
On November 25, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that it is believed that at least one of Madison Bumgarner, Cole Hamels, or Zack Wheeler will have agreed to sign with the Phillies and don red pinstripes next season by New Year’s Day. Wheeler seemed to be the least likely of the three, but given Olney’s recent report, perhaps it is the exact opposite.
“I’m not sure I like the Phillies’ chances to get Strasburg or Cole, but I think that next group of pitching down ― Bumgarner, , and Wheeler ― is a really good fit for the Philadelphia Phillies,” Morosi previously said on MLB Network’s High Heat. “They know they need pitching help.”
The Cincinnati Reds are the other team “heavily involved” for Wheeler, according to Olney, while the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers are “engaged.” Heyman links the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros to also having interest in the right-hander.