Philadelphia Phillies Agree to Deal with Nola in Free Agency

The Philadelphia Phillies have locked up their top free-agent target to a long-term deal.

The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly agreed to terms with free-agent pitcher Aaron Nola, according to USA Today.

The agreement comes hours after USA Today reported that the two sides had “significant momentum” to get a deal done.

USA Today reported the agreement was for seven years and between $170-$175 million. Nola is reportedly undergoing a physical on Sunday. 

The New York Post put the figure at $172 million.

Before the 2023 season, it was believed the Phillies and Nola were more than $100 million apart on terms of an extension, which they shelved at the start of the season.

Since this offseason began, Nola turned down the Phillies’ qualifying offer of $20.325 million guaranteed for 2024 to hit free agency.

And while Nola has been linked to many teams in free agency, the report indicates that the two sides are getting closer to a contract both are happy with.

USA Today reported that Nola and his representation were seeking a seven-year deal worth $210 million while the Phillies were offering six years and $150 million.

So the $170-$175 million represents a compromise.

In 2023 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 a pitcher with a 90-71 record and a 3.73 career ERA will have plenty of suitors.

He’s also made one All-Star Game appearance, one World Series appearance and finished in the Top 10 of Cy Young voting three times.

Now the Phillies can enter the 2024 season with their rotation basically intact from a team that reached the NL Championship Series in 2023.