The Phillies have signed former Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler according to Marc Carig of The Athletic.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reports the Phillies gave Wheeler a five-year deal worth $118 million. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the White Sox offered Wheeler more than $118 million, but Zack’s wife is from New Jersey and that proximity to Philadelphia was an important part of his decision.
Wheeler, 29, is coming off posting back-to-back 4 WAR seasons and team’s see him in the free agent starter tier under Stephen Strasburg and Gerrit Cole.
The Mets gave Wheeler a qualifying offer – which he declined – meaning the Mets will get draft pick compensation.
Wheeler signing with the Phillies leaves the Mets in search of another starter to round out their rotation of Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, and Steven Matz.
