The Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola have tabled talks on a contract extension until after the season, team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Saturday.
“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.”
Nola’s agent Joe Longo confirmed to the newspaper that the feeling was mutual.
“We had good communication with the Phillies,” Longo said in a statement. “We just couldn’t agree at this time. We’ll pick up the conversation again at the end of the season.”
Nola, 29, is slated to make his sixth straight Opening Day start when the Phillies visit the Texas Rangers on Thursday in Arlington, Texas.
Nola signed a four-year, $45 million extension in February 2019, and the Phillies exercised their $16 million club option for the 2023 season in November.
Nola posted an 11-13 record with a 3.25 ERA and one shutout in 32 starts last season, striking out a career-high 235 batters in 205 innings. He was 2-2 in the postseason with a 4.91 ERA in five starts as the Phillies advanced to the World Series.
Nola is 78-62 with a 3.60 ERA in 203 career starts with the Phillies, was a National League All-Star in 2018 and has finished in the top seven of NL Cy Young Award voting three times, including a fourth-place finish last season.
–Field Level Media