Dodgers Reported Aggressiveness For Aaron Nola Could Bode Well For Other Pitching Targets
The first big signing of the offseason took place on Sunday as the Philadelphia Phillies re-signed starting pitcher Aaron Nola. The deal was reported as a seven-year contract worth $172 million.
But it is being reported that multiple teams were aggressive in trying to land Nola, including the Dodgers. Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that LA offered Nola a similar amount, but Nola decided to head back to Philadelphia.
"It was also neither the Braves’ final offer nor the only one that Nola received. The deep-pocketed — and pitching-starving — Dodgers put a finger on the scale at $165 million, according to a source. Phillies officials suspected more teams were involved, with at least one other club offering more.”
The fact that the Dodgers were close to the amount that Nola did sign for speaks volumes. It means that they are trying to be aggressive in landing quality starting pitching.
This bodes well for their pursuit of other pitchers, and it could see them land a front-line guy. While it remains to be seen if this offer was good for Nola only, LA knows that they need to seriously improve their rotation.
They are expected to be aggressive in doing so, both on the free-agent market and by trade. LA has been rumored to be looking at a trade for starting pitcher Dylan Cease of the Chicago White Sox, which would give them an ace-level starter.
The front office seems very serious about adding to the rotation, and that should excite Dodgers fans. They know that they were embarrassed in the postseason the last two seasons, and they want to make sure that it doesn't happen again.
Hopefully, LA can land at least one of the premier starters available this offseason. The fate of their season next year likely depends on it.
