Philadelphia Phillies May Face Tough Trade Decision with Nola

Aaron Nola will be a free agent after this season and if the Philadelphia Phillies can't get back in contention, a decision may be necessary.

The Philadelphia Phillies could be buyers or they could be sellers at the trade deadline later this season.

But one general manager had a question for ESPN about one particular Phillies player:

“Do you think they move Nola?”

Nola, in this case, is Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola, who is 4-4 this season with a 4.70 ERA. But, the 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the Phillies’ rotation since he was called up in 2015 and is 82-66 for his career with a 3.67 ERA.

ESPN postulated that if the Phillies are unable to get back into contention in the National League East that Nola’s impending free agency may play a factor in what the Phillies decide to do.

Per ESPN:

If the Phillies continue to struggle, would they hold on to Nola only to see him potentially walk in free agency and get a nothing draft pick in return? The sides talked about a contract extension during spring training and didn't come close. And because the Phillies are over the luxury-tax threshold, if Nola leaves, their only compensation will be a pick after the fourth round.

Nola may be looking to test the market. He was recently named the No. 3 overall free agent next offseason by The Athletic. Nola is the third-highest ranked pitcher on the list behind Ohtani and Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías.

He is making $16 million this season.