Chicago Cubs' Pursuit of Free-Agent Pitcher Can Press Forward

The Chicago Cubs can now make a pursuit of Aaron Nola, who turned down Philadelphia's qualifying offer.

A Chicago Cubs free-agent target has turned down his qualifying offer and will seek a long-term deal in free agency.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola is seeking a multi-year deal after passing on a guaranteed $20.325 million in 2024.

He’ll test the market after a 2023 in which he went 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA with 202 strikeouts and 45 walks. He’s recorded at least 200 strikeouts in each of his last five full seasons.

The Phillies may want him back, but the Cubs are among the teams reportedly interested in pursuing Nola, who is 90-71 with a 3.73 career ERA and spent his entire career with the Phillies after they took him in the first round in 2014.

The Cubs have at least one opening in their rotation as Marcus Stroman declared for free agency. The Cubs didn’t tender him the qualifying offer, but did extend one to Cody Bellinger, who declined it.

Nola made his MLB debut a year later and has since made one All-Star Game appearance, one World Series appearance and finished in the Top 10 of Cy Young voting three times.

Last offseason, the Phillies and Nola tried to work toward a long-term extension but were described as being far apart, perhaps as far as $100 million apart on terms. He just wrapped up a five-year, $100 million deal that he signed during his arbitration years.

It wasn’t a surprise that Nola turned down the offer to pursue a long-term deal. Only seven players received the qualifying offer this offseason, and only 13 of the 124 players that have received it since 2012 have accepted it.

That pick could come between the first round and Competitive Balance Round A, after Competitive Balance Round B, which follows the second round, or after the fourth round, depending upon who signs Nola.