Report: Phillies "Seen as Top Bidder" for Zack Wheeler
Let’s turn up the Phillies’ hot stove. It’s currently burning on 2 or 3 but let’s crank that bad boy up to 5 or 6.
Buster Olney at ESPN says the Phils are the most “potent” bidders for free agent pitcher Zack Wheeler:
The bidding for right-hander Zack Wheeler continues to progress toward resolution, with the Philadelphia Phillies seen by sources as the most potent bidders — and the Reds, White Sox and Rangers also involved.
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According to sources, Wheeler is expected to get a deal of at least five years and at least $100 million. 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.
Jim Salisbury confirmed Olney’s report this morning:
I can confirm @Buster_ESPN report that Phillies are one of the teams in serious pursuit of free agent RHP Zach Wheeler.
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) December 4, 2019
Resident baseball expert B Wanks gave me this to include in the story, regarding Wheeler:
He has elite fastball velocity and has quelled early career injury concerns after making 60 starts over the past two seasons. He struggled early in 2019 but was really good after the All Star break this season – 2.83 ERA in 13 starts. One strange thing with him is that despite the big fastball he strikes out less than a batter per inning, but opponents have only hit .242 against him since the start of last season and his peripheral numbers suggest his numbers aren’t a product of luck.He also does a good job of getting ground ball contact, finishing 18th (44.2) in 2018 and 23rd (43.2) in 2019 among qualified NL starters.
