The Philadelphia Phillies will start Aaron Nola on Opening Day. But the team’s ace will be starting without a new contract.
On Friday, the Phillies announced that Nola would take the mound for the team’s first game of the season for the sixth straight season. As Philadelphia prepares to battle Jacob deGrom and the Texas Rangers to kick off the 2023 season next week, the team has officially broken off conversations with the star pitcher’s camp regarding a contract extension, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Alex Coffey.
“We think the world of him, quality pitcher, quality human being, but sometimes you get to the point where you’re not able to consummate a deal that both sides feel comfortable,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said of Nola, via Coffey on Twitter.
Dombrowski added, “We’re very open-minded to trying to sign him at the end of the season. We’re hopeful that he’ll remain a Phillie for a long time.”
Nola’s agent, Joe Longo, also put out a statement.
“We had good communication with the Phillies,” he said. “We just couldn’t agree at this time. We’ll pick up the conversation again at the end of the season.”
The Phillies opened contract talks with Nola back in February, but the two sides ultimately couldn’t agree before the season. The 29-year-old Nola, who is scheduled to be a free agent after this season, boasted a 3.25 ERA last season after striking out 235 batters in 205 innings with only 29 walks.
The MLB world reacted to the news that the Phillies put contract talks with their star pitcher on hold.
Aaron Nola is the best starting pitcher in the 2023-24 free agent class by a considerable margin (not counting Ohtani because he’s a 2-way player). He was likely never signing before he hit free agency.
— Jordan (@FRESHticles) March 25, 2023
While Nola’s future with the Phillies is a bit murky at the moment, he’ll likely earn a massive payday this offseason. Whether it’s with Philadelphia or another team.
[Alex Coffey on Twitter]