'It's a priority for us': Dombrowski on potential extension with Wheeler

TAMPA, Fla. -- Dave Dombrowski never wants to tip his hand in contract negotiations.

The Phillies' president of baseball operations did not tip his hand Thursday afternoon at Spring Training Media Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field, where he was asked about contract extension talks with ace Zack Wheeler.

“I don’t see any advantage in talking about contract negotiations, other than to say we know we’d like to sign him,” Dombrowski said. “It’s a priority for us. We would love to have that happen. But I’ve seen a lot of curves, so I have no public disclosure of my optimism or non-optimism.”

(For what it’s worth, he also declined to discuss the potential for a Bryce Harper contract extension. Harper’s agent Scott Boras said in December at the Winter Meetings that “Bryce has let me know that he wants to work out an extension,” although he is in the sixth year of a 13-year, $330 million deal.)

Wheeler could sign a massive, multi-year deal in the coming weeks, one that would blow past Aaron Nola’s seven-year, $172 million deal. But sources also said Wheeler could be seeking a relatively short-term deal, but with an average annual value (AAV) that rivals Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Scherzer, 39, signed a three-year, $130 million contract that runs through 2024 ($43.33 million AAV). Verlander, 40, signed a two-year, $86.7 million deal that runs through '24 ($43.33 million AAV).

If Wheeler doesn’t hit the $40 million mark, he figures to be in the neighborhood of Jacob deGrom ($37 million AAV), Gerrit Cole ($36 million) and Stephen Strasburg ($35 million AAV).

Wheeler said Wednesday in Clearwater, Fla., that, “Hopefully, it does [happen]” before Opening Day. He said there is no deadline to make a deal.

“Deadline-type stuff, I haven’t really been a fan of it,” Wheeler said. “I’ve seen other guys do it, but that’s just their cup of tea.”

• 'It could happen any time': Wheeler optimistic for contract extension

Asked if he considers Opening Day an artificial deadline, Dombrowski said, “Artificial is probably a better word than a definite deadline. Really, what it comes down to -- for me, the reason I’ve done that -- everybody is different, but I don’t want to be a distraction for a guy’s performance.

"Now, if you’re right there at that particular time, it could pick up again if it happens. But you sure would like to get it done in Spring Training. And usually if you can’t get it done then, lengthening it out a little bit may not make a difference. But I would say ‘artificial’ deadline would be the best description.

“I don’t want it to be where you’re putting a guy where he’s thinking about that. And not that he would. I’m sure that he’d be focused. But I just don’t want that perception out there. But again, somebody could pick up the phone and all of a sudden they say, ‘Hey, I’ll take that offer.’ Well, you’re not going to say no.”

Wheeler turns 34 on May 30. Dombrowski said he thinks Wheeler can age well, like other elite pitchers.

“One, he’s very talented,” he said. “That’s a good place to start. Secondly, he works hard. He’s really continued to know his own body and conditioning and working with our training staff, our conditioning staff, our pitching people. So he really has a feel for what to do. He keeps himself in really, really good shape. He continues to even develop as a pitcher. He adds extra pitches. Now, anybody is a risk, but when you look at him you say, 'This guy is in great shape and throwing well.'”

Extension or not, Wheeler will lead a 2024 rotation that includes Nola, Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sánchez. The Phillies recently acquired right-handers Spencer Turnbull and David Buchanan to join left-hander Kolby Allard and right-handers Nick Nelson, Dylan Covey, Max Castillo and others as rotation depth.

The Phillies continue to be linked to major free agents on the market, including left-hander Jordan Montgomery. But the Phils remain unlikely to sign any of them unless prices drop dramatically. (The Phillies would love Montgomery on a one- or two-year deal, for example.)

“I know our name is out there, but we haven’t been in any of those conversations,” Dombrowski said.

He said he has received no word that prices are dropping, either.

“Surprisingly, for us, no,” Dombrowski said. “So far. I’ve got to gather it’s going to change at some point.”