Philadelphia Phillies' Ace Zack Wheeler Announces Retirement Plans

June 16, 2025

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler pitches during 2025 game.

Despite pitching like a Cy Young contender, Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler says he’s calling it quits when his current contract ends after the 2027 season. 

Now 35, Wheeler told The Athletic that walking away from baseball will be “easy” when the time comes, even if he’s still dominating hitters. The decision stems from his desire to spend more time with his family, not from fatigue or decline. “He has four kids at home who need a dad,” reporter Matt Gelb noted.

And it’s not as if Wheeler is slowing down. Through 13 starts this season, he’s 6-2 with a 2.85 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 101 strikeouts over 82 innings. His strikeout rate (32%) is the highest of his 11-year career. 

Since joining the Phillies in 2020, he’s posted a 2.93 ERA, led deep postseason runs, and twice finished runner-up in Cy Young voting. But Wheeler insists none of that changes his plan.

A Career Worthy of Cooperstown—But Is It Enough?

The retirement news has stirred debate over Wheeler’s Hall of Fame prospects. His career totals—109 wins, 3.31 ERA, 1,726 strikeouts in 1,660.2 innings—are strong but not lock-worthy. Without a Cy Young or 2,000 strikeouts yet, his résumé sits just outside the traditional Hall threshold. 

That said, Wheeler’s rate stats (121 ERA+, 1.14 WHIP) are better than those of Félix Hernández, who drew 20% of the vote in his first year on the ballot. With two-plus seasons to go, there’s still time to pad his WAR total (currently 38.0) and push into serious Hall territory.

Phillies’ Post-Wheeler Plan Already Taking Shape

Philadelphia has prepared well for the post-Wheeler era. Aaron Nola is under contract through 2030, Cristopher Sánchez signed an extension that could run through the end of the decade, and top prospects Andrew Painter and Mick Abel are waiting in the wings. 

But the team knows its title window with Wheeler is closing fast. If a World Series ring or a Cy Young is going to push him closer to Cooperstown, the Phillies will need to go all in now, before one of baseball’s best quietly walks away.

Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

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