Keith Law, ESPN Senior Writer 4y

In NL East arms race, Phillies spend big on Zack Wheeler

MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves

Zack Wheeler was the third-best starter on the market this winter, and if you're a contending team that didn't want to bid on either of the big two -- Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg -- because the contracts for those two pitchers are likely to reach seven years, he was the best option available. The Philadelphia Phillies seemed to agree, paying Wheeler more than anyone thought he'd get (I think) on a five-year deal and potentially moving this team, which has fallen short of the playoffs in two straight years in which it was projected to get there, closer to an actual postseason berth.

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