By holding onto Aaron Nola, the Phillies also kept two rival teams from acquiring a top starting pitcher.
After Nola, who was selected seventh overall in the 2014 MLB Draft, inked a seven-year contract with Philadelphia, the first domino in the major league free agent pitching market fell on Sunday. Nola, 30, reportedly left money on the table to remain in the City of Brotherly Love, indicating that staying with the Phillies was his preference all along.
Nola also turned down the chance to play for what is likely the best team in the major leagues. Before Nola reached an agreement with the Fightins, the National League East rival Atlanta Braves reportedly pursued him, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. According to Nightengale, the St. Louis Cardinals also made a run at Nola.
Going forward, the Braves and the Cardinals are expected to be involved in the starting pitching market. Sonny Gray, who just finished an All-Star season with the Minnesota Twins, was the clear favorite to sign with St. Louis as of last week. Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto—who is anticipated to be posted on Monday—are further choices.
According to reports, Nola’s new $172 million contract with the Phillies has a complete no-trade clause but no opt-outs.