Aaron Nola Reportedly Staying in Philly on 7-Year Deal

The Phillies and Aaron Nola have agreed to a new deal that will keep the righty in town for seven more years at $172 million. That’s a pretty strong contract for a guy who’ll turn 31 in June after coming off of his second blah season in three years. Nola staying in Philly means the pitching market just got a little thinner and it also sets the market for Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.

The real prize this winter is 25-year-old Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who could well surpass $200 million once he settles on a team. That process should begin in earnest next week, as the Orix Buffaloes are expected to post him as early as Monday.

A lot of people had championed the idea of the Cubs pursuing Nola, though that contract doesn’t make a whole lot of sense even if you are among those who believe Jed Hoyer will be able to spend big. The Cardinals were also reportedly interested in the righty, so I’m torn as to whether it’s good he’s not going to St. Louis or bad that his contract isn’t cramping their finances.

Maybe this move will actually jumpstart what otherwise figured to be a slow period, but the fact that it’s a player re-signing with the same team probably doesn’t portend additional movement.