It looks like the Phillies’ owner’s unparalleled faith in Zack Wheeler finally pays off. Wheeler isn’t just another ace; he’s the pillar of the Phillies’ rotation. And if anybody dares to doubt his value, keep in mind that he’s untouchable in the sight of Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton.

Zack Wheeler, the right-hander, has inked a gigantic three-year, $126 million deal with the Phillies and has become the heart of their rotation. But what really says it all is how fiercely Middleton has defended Wheeler’s position in Philadelphia. On the episode of Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney, there was a moment where Wheeler’s name was being bounced around the front office, right before Dave Dombrowski stepped up as the team’s president of baseball operations.

However, Middleton was having none of it. The minute that rumor surfaced, he didn’t waste any second to set the record straight. Just within 20 minutes of the report going live, Middleton personally reached out; his passion was unmistakable as he strongly dismissed any speculation in the air about Zack Wheeler being available for trade.

He reportedly said, “That’s ridiculous,” before delivering a legendary statement, which will now make a headline, “I wouldn’t trade him for Babe Ruth.” It’s not just confidence; it’s more of a conviction. When we look at Zack Wheeler’s dominance on the mound, it’s safe to say that Middleton’s instincts are spot on.

Zack Wheeler has been phenomenal ever since he became a part of the Phillies. He has secured a position for himself as one of the prominent pitchers of the league. His performance is exactly why the Phillies’ ownership sees him as an irreplaceable asset.

In a league where front offices are consistently planning and probing for trade options, Middleton didn’t flinch at all. His stance on Zack Wheeler wasn’t just strong. It was downright unshakeable. And well, it is actually paying off! Middleton’s unbelievably strong “Babe Ruth” claim is coming out smarter by the day.

Schwarber enhances Phillies’ lineup by sharpening his first base skills

Kyle Schwarber is taking up a new challenge. Schwarber took his place on the field at first base during the Phillies’ 7-7 tie with the Yankees in the Grapefruit League game.

This move is enough to add another layer of flexibility to the Philadelphia lineup. Zack Wheeler hilariously told him, “I wasn’t getting over there today.”. Schwarber showed no signs of needing any additional help.

31-year-old Schwarber already plays a crucial role in the Phillies’ offensive firepower. He’s renowned for his home runs and on-base ability. While the team was exploring ways to preserve the endurance of veterans, manager Rob Thompson saw an opportunity. He made a call to Schwarber before spring training and proposed a thrilling idea of him playing first base. Naturally, Schwarber was on board.

“It’s only good, right?” Schwarber stated. “If Harper needs a break, we can keep lefty bats in the lineup and stay strong against right-handers.”

This territory is not entirely unknown for Schwarber. But this time, he has the edge of a low-pressure learning environment in spring training. “You can screw up all you want,” he stated. “It doesn’t matter. It’s more about learning.”

Thompson’s strategy is to give Schwarber more chances at first this spring. As we know, his contract is set to expire after this season. It could make him a precious possession, given how he can handle multiple positions. “Things work out here, great,” Schwarber mentioned. “But if not, it’s always good to have that in your back pocket.”

While Schwarber works on his first base skills, it just goes to show how the Phillies are all about exploring ways to win. Just like John Middleton’s unshakeable belief in Zack Wheeler, this move proves that the team isn’t afraid to shake things up in order to stay on top.