The Phillies and star pitcher Aaron Nola’s representatives were working on a possible long-term contract extension.
It doesn’t look like the two sides will reach agreement, as Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Alex Coffey that the two sides have ended talks.
“We think the world of him, quality pitcher, quality human being, but sometimes you get to this point where you’re not able to consummate a deal that both sides feel comfortable,” Dombrowski said. “We’re very open minded to trying to sign him at the end of the season. We’re hopeful he’ll remain a Phillie for a long time.”
Joe Longo, Nola’s agent, also made a statement, “we had good communication with the Phillies. We just couldn’t agree at this time. We’ll pick up the conversation again at the end of the season.”
Nola indicated that he didn’t want negotiations to stretch beyond Opening Day, as he wanted to entirely focus on baseball once the season was underway.
The 29 year-old Nola signed a four-year, $45M extension with Philadelphia in February 2019, and that deal became a five-year, $56.75M pact last November when the Phillies exercised their $16M club option on Nola for the 2023 season.
Last season, Nola had 11 wins with a 3.25 ERA and 235 strikeouts in 205 innings. He finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting and pitched in the postseason for the first time in his career.
Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola. Photo courtsey of The Philadelphia Inquirer – Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
