Philadelphia Phillies fans react to team talking long-term deal with pitcher Aaron Nola: "Give him all da monay" "Please and thank you"
The Philadelphia Phillies have started negotiations on a long-term contract with starting pitcher Aaron Nola, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
The Philadelphia Phillies and Aaron Nola have been inseparable since the team selected the Louisiana native with the seventh pick of the 2014 draft.
The Phillies and Aaron Nola have started negotiations on a potential long-term contract, multiple sources said. Nola, a pending free agent, won't negotiate once the season begins. But there is time.
"I love it here. I think everybody loves it here." theathletic.com/4220760/2023/0…
However, the Philadelphia Phillies staff ace is entering the final year of a five-year, $56.75 million contract, and time is beginning to run short for the team and player to oblige their futures to one another yet again. Nola has already declared that he will not continue negotiations past opening day, March 30, when he is scheduled to take the mound in the Phillies' first game of the 2023 season.
"I want to focus on the season," Nola told The Athletic. "Definitely. We’d have to reopen it after the season, for sure. But during the season, I want to stay focused on that. Playing good ball. Trying to win a championship.
@MattGelb Give him all da monay
@MattGelb Please and thank you!!
@MattGelb Please get this done and like tomorrow
"My reps are handling it. I don’t really know, honestly. I love it here. I think everybody loves it here. Everybody that comes to this team. I talked to (relief pitcher) Craig Kimbrel the other day when he came in and he was like, 'I could see how much fun it is just from afar.' It’s a fun clubhouse. It’s a fun group of guys."
@MattGelb I can’t envision a future where Nola isn’t donning the red pinstripes.
@MattGelb @jsaquella I’d like it to get done but not at the expense of being unable to extend Wheeler after next year. Wheeler is a much more dominant pitcher despite being 2 years older. He’s the bonafide ace.
@MattGelb The final move of the most historic offseason
Nola is set to earn $16 million this season in the final year of his current contract. A comparable pitcher, Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres, signed a five-year, $100 million deal before hitting free agency last offseason. Unlike Musgrove, Nola has placed in the top seven of National League Cy Young Award voting three times in a career that has lasted one season longer.
@MattGelb https://t.co/gytwv3dIZq
@MattGelb The good thing about Nola is he's not really a power pitcher, so he can be good into his mid 30 s
Just because the Philadelphia Phillies and Nola are talking doesn't mean a deal will happen. The clock is ticking with just under six weeks until opening day.
"I guess we’ll see. My reps are handling everything right now," Nola told The Athletic. "I’m just focused on keeping my body healthy. Figuring out this pitch clock. That’s where my focus is, to be honest with you."
@MattGelb My lord. THE VIBES.
@MattGelb https://t.co/v3CVKONXHe
Aaron Nola is the Philadelphia Phillies' undisputed ace
Nola will make his sixth Opening Day start on March 30, when he toes the rubber against the Texas Rangers.
In an eight-year career, Nola has a 78-62 record with a 3.60 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Nola has been beyond dependable for the Philadelphia Phillies, starting more than 30 games in four of his eight major-league seasons, including a major-league leading 34 starts in 2019.
He's only started fewer than 20 games per season twice, making 13 starts in his rookie year of 2015 and 12 in the COVID-19-shortened season of 2020.