Aaron Nola agrees to new deal with Phillies, spurning larger offers (report)

Righthanded starter Aaron Nola agrees to a 7-year, $172 million deal to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies. Durable, strong postseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies have made a major free agent signing to kick off the offseason, securing the services of right-handed starting pitcher Aaron Nola on a seven-year contract worth $172 million. This deal will keep Nola with the Phillies for the foreseeable future. The 30-year-old has been a mainstay in the Phillies' rotation for nearly a decade, amassing a 90-71 career record and a 3.72 ERA. Nola's durability has been particularly impressive, as he has consistently made 32 or more starts in each of the last five full-length seasons and has exceeded 200 innings pitched three times.

Nola's value on the free agent market was further bolstered by his strong postseason performance, where he posted a 3-1 record and a 2.35 ERA in four appearances. As one of the top starting pitchers available in free agency, Nola's decision to remain with the Phillies was a significant development in the offseason market. Other notable free agent pitchers include Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Sonny Gray, and Jordan Montgomery.

Despite initial speculation that Nola could command an average annual value (AAV) of over $25 million or a total contract value exceeding $200 million, he ultimately chose to accept the Phillies' offer over potentially larger deals from other teams. The Atlanta Braves were rumored to be among the bidders for Nola's services, prompting the Phillies to act swiftly to secure his signature.

The decision to re-sign Nola represents a change of fortunes for the Phillies, as previous attempts to extend his contract during spring training had failed. However, Nola's clear preference to stay with the team that drafted him ultimately prevailed, highlighting his commitment to the organization. This signing also underscores the Phillies' commitment to bolstering their pitching staff, a priority that has been emphasized by the team's front office.

Overall, Nola's decision to remain with the Phillies marks a significant move in the free agent market, as one of the premier starting pitchers has opted to stay with the team that has been his home for nearly a decade. This signing sets the stage for further developments in the offseason and could have a ripple effect on the market for other top free agent pitchers.