Is Phillies' Ace Nola Playing His Way Into Mega-Deal With Team?
For a large chunk of the season, it looked as if Aaron Nola cost himself millions of dollars.
By not signing a contract extension before the season, the ace took a big risk.
He knew it, too.
But over the final month of the regular season and now the postseason, Nola could command an incredibly large deal.
It will be difficult for the Philadelphia Phillies to let him walk in free agency now.
Nola was sensational in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series as the Phillies upended the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-0 to take a 2-0 lead.
Nola lowered his home playoff ERA to 1.57 in five starts at Citizens Bank Park. His six scoreless innings were absolutely brilliant as he threw his arsenal of pitches for strikes and left the game to a rousing standing ovation from the passionate sellout crowd.
Philadelphia is now six victories away from their first World Series championship since 2008.
Looking ahead isn’t a priority.
But the Phillies must realize that it would be tough to watch Nola donning a different uniform next season. A $175 million deal might have seemed preposterous in July or August.
Now it could be a bargain.
Nola’s recent mechanical adjustment has worked.
He looked nearly unhittable on Tuesday.
“Obviously, this year has been inconsistent," Nola said. "Some good starts, some bad starts, just kind of up and down the whole year. But I definitely feel a lot better with my delivery now, trying to simplify it, not move too quick, and slow things down."
Nola, the longest-tenured member of the team, could earn more money with another franchise. The Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and St. Louis Cardinals, for instance, will likely toss huge contract offers at the right hander.
But Nola is thriving with the only team he has ever competed for.
That same money could be available in Philadelphia.
Judging by how he’s pitching, it would make sense to sign him as soon as possible.
Or after six more wins and a parade.
