The Philadelphia Phillies are “open” to trading RHP Zack Wheeler, according to a report from ESPN‘s Buster Olney. Wheeler just signed a five-year, $118 million contract to join the Mets’ NL East rival last offseason.
Wheeler posted a 2.92 ERA and 156 ERA+ in his first season with the Phillies, notching some down-ballot Cy Young votes in the process. Olney said that the Phillies’ financial issues stemming from the lack of fans in the stadium and low number of games played in 2020 are the primary reason why they’re looking to get off Wheeler’s $23.6 million yearly average salary.
The 30-year-old has four years and $96.5 million remaining on his deal.
The Brodie Van Wagenen administration barely made a push to keep the former Met last offseason, with Van Wagenen noting publicly that he did not believe “the projections we have for Wheeler, both short and long-term, didn’t match up with the market.” That was a mistake.
Wheeler has a 3.70 ERA, 1.284 WHIP, and 104 ERA+ in seven-plus seasons in the majors.
