Aaron Nola knew he wanted to join the Philadelphia Phillies. There was no assurance the longest-tenured player in the organization would return.
Nola, who was entering free agency for the first time in his career, spent the entire season not worrying about where he would play in 2024. The Phillies’ six-time Opening Day starter has to consider his future at some point.
When the Phillies were defeated in seven games in the National League Championship Series, the future became the present.
“I went back home, and that was difficult, right? There was no assurance Philadelphia would bring me back. “It was tough.” Nola said. “I moved here and lived with them for ten years. I developed good friendships and ties. And it wasn’t just the players, staff, coaches, and stadium workers; minor league staffers, coaches, and stadium workers were also involved. My wife had established solid ties and friendships, so it was difficult for both of us.
“That stuff is very significant, even outside of baseball. And that stuff stays with you for a lifetime. You form lasting connections and partnerships.”
Flirting with Atlanta Braves during free agency
Major League Baseball free agency may last months, but Nola wanted to know where he was headed quickly. There was interest in one of baseball’s best pitchers from a National League East foe, which Nola had to consider.
“I did talk to the Braves,” Nola stated. “That’s simply the business side of free agency, correct? There was no certainty that [the Phillies] would make an offer or sign me back after last season. I went through the procedure, but in retrospect, I consider myself really fortunate to have completed the transaction early and to have signed with the organization with whom I began my career.
Nola was certain he wanted to play his entire career in Philadelphia. Teams may have offered him more money, but they couldn’t match the Phillies’ offer. The Phillies are a family, but they are also in position to win the World Series in the next years.
Nola witnessed this organization go from one of the worst in baseball to one of the finest. He was not about to sacrifice all of the hard work he and the Phillies had put in to become World Series contenders.
“It’s good to be back. Year one of seven on this last stretch with a team I already know,” Nola said. “It’s pretty much the same team as last year, and it’s a very excellent one. A championship-caliber team. I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed the transformation of a rebuilding club during a rebuilding period into a championship-caliber team. It’s pretty wonderful to be able to do that since I believe not many players can go through that process unless they stay with the same team their entire career.
“I’m proud of how far this organization has grown since I started here. Going through all of this has made me appreciate it even more.
Nola wants to deliver Philadelphia a World Series.
If there’s a metric that defines a great pitcher over the last six seasons, Nola’s on it. Nola ranks third in baseball for strikeouts (1,209) and second in innings pitched (1,065 1/3). He ranks 15th in earned run average (3.65) among pitchers who have thrown 750 or more innings over that time, ninth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.41), and seventh in strikeouts per nine innings (10.2).
Nola has been one of the most consistent pitchers in MLB. The figures are impressive, but that is not what Nola hopes to show over the course of his seven-year, $172 million contract.
Nola wants to reward the crew that has remained by him throughout.
“I want to give them the World Series,” Nola stated. “That is my own objective as well as our team’s. We got close in the last several years, and we all believe we have the team to achieve it. We believe we can do something extraordinary.
“I definitely don’t take this team for granted because it’s not every day or every year that you get to play for a team that has stayed pretty much the same for three years running. For the next few years, this will be the same team. We’re hoping to get one done and bring a title back to Philadelphia.
“I’ve been playing the game long enough to know that individual achievements are excellent. Being in the postseason for the last few years and experiencing the atmosphere and pure joy of winning. This team’s close-knit nature enhances its performance. This is what we play and train for: to reach to that point.”
Nola wants to lift that trophy as much as anyone in the Phillies organization. He is a Phillie for life.
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