Jun 15, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
A variety of national outlets ran with headlines Sunday as though Zack Wheeler had just revealed he planned to retire after the 2027 season. But the multi-time All-Star has been saying that for some time now.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic recently wrote a tremendous feature about some of Wheeler's quirks and how he's been able to be so successful by simplifying things. (That doesn't do the story justice, you should really go read the full thing.)
In the final paragraphs of the story, Wheeler reiterates that he plans to retire at the conclusion of his current contract, which runs through the 2027 season. Wheeler said it "doesn't matter" if he still is among the best starting pitchers in the sport, he expects to walk away regardless.
Multiple national outlets — some of whom didn't even link back to Gelb's story — wrote yesterday about Wheeler's plan to retire after the 2027 season as though it was breaking news. It wasn't, nor was it presented that way in Gelb's piece.
When Wheeler met with the media last spring after he agreed to the three-year/$126 million extension that kicked in this year, he discussed how long he wants to pitch for.
"I do enjoy pitching and I want to be here. I love competing," Wheeler said. "But I don't want to play until I'm old, old. I want to be around my family. But I'm definitely enjoying the moment here, and enjoying every moment that I take the mound. It's special, not everybody gets to do it. Not everybody gets to do it as long as I have so far. And I'm grateful for that."
Wheeler acknowledged that he didn't direct his agent — B.B. Abbott of Wasserman — to seek a longer deal.
"I think just my outlook on it, like I said, I don't want to be old, old out there and maybe not doing my best, what I'm used to doing pitching wise," Wheeler said. "I think it works out for me, I think it works out for the team and I think we're all in agreement on that."
Realistically, he could have probably gotten at least four guaranteed years on the open market had he waited to test free agency. Heck, if he had dug his heels in on four years last Spring Training, it's hard to think that the Phillies wouldn't have ultimately agreed. But the insinuation in taking that three-year deal was that there was a good chance he would walk away after it wrapped up.
Wheeler was more concrete about his future plans during an appearance on "The Phillies Show" with Todd Zolecki and Jim Salisbury earlier this spring when he was asked if he might change his mind about retirement if he's still pitching at a high level at the conclusion of this deal.
"It's far away, but I'm pretty sure I'm done after this," Wheeler said. "But time will tell and who knows. I never wanna say never, but more than likely, I'll probably be done after this. That was kinda the goal."
Wheeler and his wife Dominique have since welcomed their fourth child, with all of their kids having been born since he joined the Phillies in December of 2019. Back during the spring interview with Zolecki and Salisbury, Wheeler cited a desire to be with his family as one of the reasons he intends to walk away at the conclusion of this contract.
"I've got four kids and my awesome wife, and I want to spend time with them too."
With all this context, it was a bit strange to see headlines Sunday about Wheeler's retirement plans. He's made clear what his intentions are for at least a year now.
There's also the reality that this is the first season of a three-year extension for Wheeler. 2027 isn't forever away, but it's also not particularly close either. Even if Wheeler does retire at the end of this contract, the Phillies still have time with the righty, who has turned into one of the best pitchers in franchise history.
Yes, having a timetable on his retirement perhaps makes it clearer that the window is closing to win a World Series with Wheeler, who is 35 years old. But even if Wheeler planned to pitch into his 40s, that sense of urgency should already be there with him. He's had a peak that is going to put him in the Cooperstown discussion, but it's fair to wonder how many more years he can continue to pitch at this level for. Not winning a title with him at the height of his powers would certainly burn for the Phillies.
Is it possible that someone — be it the Phillies or another team — offers Wheeler enough money to pitch for a year or two longer than he currently expects? Sure. At the same time, by the end of this deal, Spotrac estimates that Wheeler will have made more than $240 million in his career. If he's intent on walking away, surely he and his family will be well set up with that amount of money.
