HEADLINE

Phillies deny report they are shopping RHP Wheeler

Field Level Media

December 06, 2020 at 7:30 pm.

The Philadelphia Phillies denied an ESPN report Sunday that the team is struggling financially and fielding trade offers for right-hander Zack Wheeler.

“There’s zero truth to this,” managing partner John Middleton told NBC Sports Philadelphia.

“There’s no validity to it,” club president Andy MacPhail added. “Zack is very much in our plans going forward.”

Wheeler, 30, is heading into the second season of a five-year, $118 million deal he signed last winter. Slugger Bryce Harper is the only higher-paid player on the roster.

Wheeler went 4-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 11 starts during the abbreviated 2020 season, his first with the Phillies. He struck out 53 batters and walked 16 in 71 innings.

“I’m not surprised that other clubs might inquire about him,” MacPhail said. “It’s not something on our radar.”

Philadelphia finished 28-32 and in third place in the National League East, missing the playoffs for the ninth straight season.

Wheeler was 44-38 with a 3.77 ERA in 126 starts over parts of five seasons with the New York Mets before inking his deal with the Phillies on Dec. 9, 2019. He is due to make $22.5 million in 2021.