*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
The first major domino has fallen in this free agent class. The Philadelphia Phillies and RHP Aaron Nola have agreed to a 7 year, $172 million contract, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The team has confirmed.
With Nola at 30 years old, he'll likely finish his playing career with the Phillies, the only team he's been a part of. Provided he pitches at least one game in each of the next 7 years, only Mike Schmidt will have spent more seasons with the Phillies, with the last year of the deal set to be Nola's 16th with the team.
There are no options or opt outs included in Nola's contract, with the pitcher reportedly turning down more money elsewhere to return to the Phillies. The Phillies issued Nola a qualifying offer at the end of the season ahead of free agency, which he declined.
Nola had an up and down season in 2023 at the top of the Phillies rotation. He posted a 4.46 ERA, 4.03 FIP, and 1.151 WHIP, averaging 9.4 strikeouts per 9 innings while throwing 193 2/3 innings in 32 starts. He allowed 6 runs in 23 innings and 4 starts in the playoffs.
Over the last 6 seasons, Nola has been one of baseball's best at handling big innings workloads. His 1,065 1/3 innings from 2018 to 2023 are the second most in the majors, trailing only Gerrit Cole. He's accumulated a 26.0 bWAR in that time, ranking 5th in the majors.
All 9 of Nola's years in the majors have come with the Phillies after they drafted him in 2014 in the first round. He's compiled a 3.72 ERA, 1.129 WHIP, and 3.38 FIP, averaging 2.3 walks per 9 and 10 strikeouts per 9 in 235 starts and 1,422 innings pitched. In the postseason, Nola has a 3.70 ERA and 1.151 WHIP in 48 2/3 innings and 9 starts.
Nola's 90 career wins put him in 13th on the Phillies leaderboard. He ranks 17th in team history in innings pitched, 7th in starts, and 5th in strikeouts with 1,582. He's accumulated 31.7 bWAR in his career, ranking 19th in team history.
Before Nola re-signed with the Phillies, he had been receiving interest from the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and Atlanta Braves.
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