A few years ago, Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola was seen as a well-above-average starting pitcher in Major League Baseball.
Now in his 11th season, the veteran has spent his entire career with the Phillies since debuting with the team.
But over the past two seasons, the 33-year-old and his club have faced significant struggles. Nola posted a 6.01 ERA last year and currently holds a 5.86 ERA. His strikeout rates have also dropped compared to previous seasons, suggesting he may no longer be as effective at getting outs at the elite level.
Moving on from him won’t be easy, but if the new Collective Bargaining Agreement comes into effect as owners desire requiring some teams to reduce payroll he could be an ideal candidate for such a move.
He’s currently considered the most likely player to be let go, given that he still has four years and $98 million left on his contract.
“Remaining contract: 4 years, ~$98 million.
The Philadelphia Phillies are somewhat stuck in terms of roster flexibility, especially if a salary cap is introduced, because of all their long-term deals. Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola, Jesus Luzardo, J.T. Realmuto, and Cristopher Sanchez are all making at least $15 million annually through 2028, and Zack Wheeler is set to earn $42 million in 2027. The player the Phillies would be most willing to move from that group is probably Nola,” wrote Zachary Rotman.
It’s always hard to part with a player who has contributed so much to an organization, but if the league mandates such changes, now is likely the right time to trade him.
That’s not to say Nola couldn’t find success elsewhere or even turn things around in Philadelphia—but the smarter move would be to move on if the league requires it.
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