Aaron Nola has solidified his place with the Phillies, prompting enthusiastic celebrations among fans…
The ace pitcher recently inked a substantial seven-year contract with the team, valued at $172 million.
This move reflects the Phillies’ commitment to retaining Nola, a key player who has been with the organization since his draft in 2014.
The lengthy contract, stretching through the 2030 season, positions Nola to potentially surpass the 15-season record set by Steve Carlton as the Phillies’ longest-tenured pitcher.
Additionally, he is set to trail only Mike Schmidt by two seasons for the title of the longest-tenured Phillies player, boasting an impressive 18 seasons if he remains with the team.
This significant agreement ensures that fans can anticipate Nola’s presence at Citizens Bank Park for the next seven years, generating palpable excitement among the fanbase.
The Philadelphia Phillies and pitcher Aaron Nola reached an agreement on a lucrative seven-year contract, as announced by the team after a nearly three-week period of inactivity in the MLB free agent market…
Although the Phillies did not disclose the specific terms of the deal, insider sources informed ESPN that it amounts to an impressive $172 million. Nola, a 30-year-old right-hander, has dedicated his entire 10-year professional career to the Phillies, who drafted him in 2014 and quickly promoted him to the major leagues a year later.
Throughout his tenure, Nola has been a consistent performer, particularly in the last six seasons, during which he led Major League Baseball in game starts (175) and came second in innings pitched (1,065, just behind Gerrit Cole’s 1,076). Despite interest from the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies’ National League East rivals, Nola opted to remain in Philadelphia, citing his affection for the city and its passionate fan base.
Negotiations between Nola’s agents, Garrett Parcell and Joe Longo, and interested teams intensified leading up to the weekend. Despite the general lack of free agent signings in the market, Nola was eager to finalize his decision. Ultimately, Philadelphia and Atlanta emerged as the final contenders, with Nola securing the largest-ever pitching contract in Phillies history and the 11th largest overall.
As Nola evolved into a pitcher who twice ranked in the top five for the NL Cy Young Award, the Phillies transitioned out of a rebuilding phase, bolstered their roster with star players, and achieved an NLCS berth in the most recent season following a World Series appearance in 2022.
Despite a slight regression in his ERA to 4.46 this year, coupled with an increase in home runs allowed, Nola showcased his durability by pitching 193 innings, striking out 202 batters, and walking only 45.
His ability to log significant innings, strike out hitters, and control walks made him a highly sought-after free agent, evident in the substantial size of his contract. Nola now joins an exclusive group of Phillies players with nine-figure deals, including Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos.
With Nola’s signing, it is anticipated that the sluggish pace of baseball free agency will gain momentum. This year’s class, highlighted by two-way star Shohei Ohtani, is expected to see major deals for pitchers such as Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell, and postseason standout Jordan Montgomery.
Nola played a crucial role in the Phillies’ recent success, contributing significantly in the past two seasons with 48 innings over nine postseason starts, where he struck out more than five times as many batters as he walked. Armed with a well-commanded 92 mph fastball and one of the best curveballs in the game, Nola has positioned himself as one of the premier control artists in baseball, a skill set the Phillies believe will age gracefully.
In his career, Nola has accumulated a record of 90-71 with a 3.72 ERA. Over 1,422 innings, he has recorded 1,582 strikeouts, 371 walks, and allowed 169 home runs.
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