Dodgers News: One Of LA's Top Free Agent Pitching Targets Taken Off Market

LA will have to look elsewhere now...

The first big signing of the MLB offseason has happened, as the Philadelphia Phillies have resigned starting pitcher Aaron Nola to a seven-year deal worth $172 million. MLB insider Bob Nightengale was all over the news.

The Phillies and Aaron Nola have now reached a tentative agreement on a 7-year contract worth $170-$175 million. Nola is undergoing a physical today before the deal becomes official. Talks between the Phillies and agent Joe Longo picked up steam the last two days.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 19, 2023

There was reported interest from LA, but it always felt like Nola would return to Philadelphia. He has been with them his entire career and has been one of the main pitchers in their success over the last few years. LA 

LA was likely never going to sign Nola for the price it took to land him, as they have been hesitant to hand out large contracts to free-agent pitchers. But Nola was one of the bigger starting pitcher targets for the Dodgers, and now the team will need to look elsewhere to upgrade the rotation. 

The Dodgers are expected to be one of the more aggressive teams in free agency, but they can't sit on their hands this year. Normally they allow the market to come to them, but with the need for starting pitching around the league, they will need to be proactive.

It's a little surprising that Nola signed so soon, as most bigger free agents typically don't sign until later in the winter. But this could now open the gates for others to start signing their deals around the league. 

Fans are expecting major things this offseason from the team, and the Dodgers have to deliver. They have been embarrassed in the last two postseasons by two division rivals, so this is one of the more crucial offseasons in recent memory. 

Hopefully, LA can come away with at least one top-tier starting pitcher either on the free-agent market or via trade. They want to make sure that nothing happens like it did last season, and building out a strong rotation is the best way to make that happen.