The future of Aaron Nola’s contract with the Philadelphia Phillies is hanging in the balance as free agency looms. Nola, who turned 30 in June, is currently in the final year of his five-year, $56.75 million deal with the Phillies.
There were talks about a contract extension between Nola and the team during spring training, and there was initially optimism on both sides. Nola is the longest-tenured player on the team, and Phillies owner John Middleton was eager to keep the 2022 pennant-winning team intact. However, negotiations broke off with a significant gap still remaining between the two parties.
Nola decided to bet on himself and declined any further negotiations. Unfortunately, the season hasn’t gone as well as he had hoped. His ERA is currently 4.58, which is worse than the major league average for starters. This continues a four-year trend of alternating between strong seasons and disappointing ones. Nola has given up 27 home runs, and his walk rate has increased while his strikeout rate has decreased.
Despite these struggles, Nola remains one of the most durable pitchers in the sport. Since 2018, he leads the majors in starts and innings pitched. He has developed a detailed routine to stay healthy and available for his team. Nola has demonstrated his commitment to taking the ball every five games and has consistently been a reliable presence on the mound for the Phillies.
As Nola’s free agency approaches, there are varying opinions on what his next contract could look like. Some believe that Kevin Gausman’s recent five-year, $110 million contract with the Blue Jays could serve as a floor for Nola’s upcoming negotiations. Gausman is among the 27 pitchers who make at least $22 million annually, and his deal represents one of the highest total values ever for a free-agent pitcher.
It remains to be seen how Nola’s performance for the rest of the season will impact his contract negotiations. While he has had some struggles this year, his track record and durability make him an attractive option for teams in need of a reliable starting pitcher. As free agency draws near, all eyes will be on Aaron Nola and the Phillies to see how his future unfolds.
