Phillies spring training: Pitchers and catchers report; Zack Wheeler working on a contract extension; photos from Clearwater

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A few hours after the Phillies lost Game 7 of the National League Championship Series to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Oct. 24, Taijuan Walker sent a tweet.

“Disrespect is at an all time high #nextyear,” he wrote, at about 2 a.m.

Walker, who was in the first year of a $72 million contract, was the only player on the Phillies playoff roster to not make a postseason appearance. He was emotional about it.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — When it comes to negotiating his next contract, a potentially drawn-out process that is underway, Zack Wheeler's goals aren't complicated.

"I just want to be paid [based on] how I've done, what they expect out of me," the Phillies ace said Tuesday after a bullpen session on the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers. "It's not all about the money to me, either. I took less to come here and be in a good spot and be happy and for my family to be happy. I do want — what's the right word? — I want what I feel like I've earned."

In other words, market value?

On Tuesday, as pitchers and catchers started to report for spring training, MLB fans got a look at the new 2024 jerseys. Reactions were...not positive — including from some players, who criticized the jerseys for poor fit and for looking cheap.

So, we went on Tuesday to the Phillies’ team store to get a look at the new Phillies’ uniforms for 2024 and to give you a breakdown on any changes.

Good news: it’s not that different. Unlike with the Mariners and Cardinals jerseys, the Phillies’ unique font for the nameplate on the back of the jersey is still intact — it’s just smaller, which makes the changes overall less noticeable on the Phillies’ jerseys than the others. The names on the back are also more curved.

On Tuesday, Philadelphia’s focus was on snow blanketing parts of the region. Today, it's on baseball. 

Phillies spring training is underway, with the team holding workouts for pitchers and catchers at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Fla. They'll have 10 days to prepare for their first spring training game on Feb. 24 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Fans can attend the workouts for free, which are expected to begin around 10 a.m. Phillies beat writer Scott Lauber suggests getting to the ballpark early and exploring the back fields. 

For the second straight year, NBC Sports Philadelphia will air 13 of the Phillies Grapefruit League games.

The network’s TV schedule kicks off with the Phillies' Feb. 25 matchup against the New York Yankees at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla., where the team has played spring ball for 77 years.

Here are all the Phillies spring training games airing on NBC Sports Philadelphia: 

Anything can always happen, including an unexpected procedure on outfielder Brandon Marsh’s left knee last Friday. But as camp opens, there are only two, maybe three, jobs available on the 26-man roster.

Spencer Turnbull can’t be sent to the minors without his consent, and Connor Brogdon and Dylan Covey are out of minor-league options, which might give them inside tracks on the last two seats in the bullpen. Covey and perhaps Turnbull are also starter insurance cloaked as a long reliever.

Outfielder/first baseman Jake Cave and out-of-options outfielder Cristian Pache probably have spots on the bench, although the Phillies are still looking to add a reserve outfielder.

» READ MORE: What to know about Phillies spring training: Key dates, roster questions, storylines, and more

The Phillies claimed reliever Kaleb Ort off waivers, the team announced Tuesday, and added him to the 40-man roster. Additionally, they agreed to a minor-league deal with right-hander David Buchanan, who pitched for the Phillies in 2014-15.

Ort, a 32-year-old righty, has bounced around waivers this winter, from the Mariners to the Marlins and now the Phillies. He posted a 6.26 ERA and had 24 strikeouts in 23 innings for the Red Sox last season. But Ort can be optioned to the minors.

To create a 40-man roster spot for Ort, the Phillies designated recently signed infielder Diego Castillo for assignment.

Zack Wheeler is among the best free-agent signings in club history, and as he enters the last year of his contract, the Phillies intend to prioritize an extension. But does the ace share that interest?

Here’s what we know: Wheeler signed with the Phillies four years ago despite getting a better offer from the White Sox because he wanted to stay in the Northeast. He also has developed strong bonds with Nola and pitching coach Caleb Cotham, among others.

But Wheeler also leads all pitchers in wins above replacement since 2020. He will turn 34 on May 30, but was healthier and better in his early 30s with the Phillies than his late 20s with the Mets.

The Phillies are scheduled to open the 2024 season on March 28 against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.

Single-game tickets to Phillies games went on sale last month, and the season opener in South Philly is already sold out. But you can still grab tickets to remaining two games against the Braves on opening weekend.

The Phillies have had several memorable openers since they were defeated, 4-3, by Old Hoss Radbourn of the Providence Grays on May 1, 1883. The Inquirer looked back at nine of the more memorable season-openers in franchise history.