5 biggest MLB starting pitcher contracts in Phillies franchise history

No. 3: Zack Wheeler, $118 million/5 years

In another big Winter Meetings move, the Phillies front office inked Zack Wheeler to a five-year, $118 million contract in 2019. And what a brilliant move it turned out to be for the franchise. Thanks to then-general manager Matt Klentak's foresight, Phillies fans have seen Wheeler evolve into the prototypical ace.

After an abbreviated debut season in 2020, thanks to the pandemic, Wheeler was a workhorse in 2021. He dominated over a major league-best 213 1/3 innings, with three complete games and two shutouts. He finished the year with a 2.78 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, recording an NL-leading 247 strikeouts on his way to earning his first All-Star invitation and finishing as the NL Cy Young runner-up.

Say what you will about Wheeler's 2022 postseason; in the 2023 playoffs he proved himself to be "the man" for the Phillies. His performance was exactly why the team brought him in and paid him $23.6 million a year.

In five games (four starts, one relief appearance), the 33-year-old was lights out. He pitched to a 1.95 ERA and 0.72 WHIP, striking out 35 batters over 27 2/3 innings, picking up a 3-0 record. He certainly wasn't the reason the Phillies were sent packing in the NLCS.

Over his first four seasons in Philadelphia, the former first-round draft pick has compiled a 19.3 fWAR — the best among all pitchers over that span.

Wheeler has more than earned every penny of his deal so far. With one season left on his contract and hope among fans that he gets an extension, all he has left to do is help this win-now Phillies team bring home a World Series title.