(Philadelphia) Pitcher Aaron Nola is returning for seven years with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Sunday because the contract is subject to a physical evaluation. Several media outlets have reported that the right-hander’s deal would allow him to pocket US$172 million.
Nola is the first big-name starting pitcher to leave this year’s free agent roster. This group includes Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez.
Nola, 30, was a first-round pick of the Phillies in the 2014 draft. He debuted with the team the following year and spent his entire career in Philadelphia.
Nola has proven to be one of baseball’s most durable pitchers – a valuable commodity with the modern pressure placed on Major League Baseball’s bullpen. He also has good playoff experience.
Nola has made at least 32 starts and pitched for at least 180 2/3 innings in five of the last six years – the exception being the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Nola was 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA in 32 starts for the Phillies this year, finishing with 202 strikeouts and 193 2/3 innings pitched.
Nola helped the Phillies secure a playoff spot in 2023 and was 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in four postseason starts. The Philadelphia squad was eliminated by the Arizona Diamondbacks during the National Championship Series.
Nola made five postseason starts when the Phillies reached the World Series in 2022. He finished his postseason run with a 2-2 record and a 4.91 ERA.
Nola has a 90-71 record and 3.72 ERA in 235 career starts over nine seasons in the majors. He struck out 1,582 batters in 1,422 innings pitched.
