The Philadelphia Phillies and pitcher Zach Wheeler have agreed on a three-year deal to remain in Philly, forgoing free agency.

The new deal is said to be worth up to three years $126 million with an extension kicking in 2025, the franchise revealed.

Zach Wheeler is currently set to be the fourth highest paid pitcher in the history of baseball at $42 million. His contract would only trail Shohei Ohtani ($70 million), Texas pitcher Max Scherzer ($43.33 million) and Houston pitcher Justin Verlander ($43.33 million).

Zach Wheeler Stays with Phillies

Zach Wheeler, who was in the final year of his contract, joined the Phillies in 2019 after a five-year stint in New York with the Mets, which was riddled with injury.

During his time in Philadelphia, he has become one of the best pitchers in the game, posting a 307 ERA with an adjusted ERA+ of 137 -- and has 675 strikeouts in 629⅓ innings.

He led the major leagues in pitched innings (213⅓), has led the NL in strikeouts, and won a Golden Glove last season.

He helped lead the Phillies to a 90-72 record and to the NLCS in 2023, where they fell to the inevitable Conference final champs in the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Wheeler opts to remain with the Philadelphia Phillies, playing alongside some of the best in the game, such as Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber,

The Phillies have had some success over the past few seasons, making it to a World Series back in 2022. They continue to spend a lot of money in the hope of winning their first World Series title since 2008.