Three Excruciating Free-agent Potential Landing Destinations for Aaron Nola that would leave Phillies Fans Haunted

If the Phillies are unable to re-sign Nola, these are a potential landing destinations that could cause problems for the team.

MLB free agency has begun, and the Philadelphia Phillies have some negotiating to do if they want to strengthen their starting rotation and prepare for another championship push in 2024. Everything starts with one major decision.

Aaron Nola, the only Phillies player to be handed a qualifying offer ahead of the deadline, is expected to decline the offer.

When you look at his stats over nine years with the Phillies, it’s clear to see why Nola is in high demand on the free-agent market. He has a 90-71 record, a 3.72 ERA, a 1.129 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. In those nine years, he has pitched 1,422 innings, the fifth-most for any starting pitcher during that time period. According to FanGraphs, he also had the sixth-highest WAR from 2015 to 2023, at 33.9.

During the 2023 regular season, the right-handed pitcher finished 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA, 45 walks, and 202 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings pitched. He pitched well in the postseason, going 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in four appearances. While Nola didn’t have an easy year in 2023, allowing a career-high 32 home runs, he remained a workhorse, starting 32 games for the third straight year.

Nola has until November 14 at 4 p.m. ET to decide on the $20.325 million qualifying offer. Assuming he packs his belongings and departs from the team he has called home for the past nine years, here are a few possible destinations that could come back to haunt the Phillies.

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The Philadelphia Phillies Have the Potential to Define MLB’s Offseason

The Philadelphia Phillies have needs heading into the offseason, and they may determine who the entire plot revolves around.

The Philadelphia Phillies have won the World Series and the National League Championship Series in the last two seasons. They haven’t won a world title yet, but they have a roster that appears to be set to compete in the coming years.

Could the Phillies benefit from a few additional players? Sure. Do they intend to retain any of their free agents? Yes. Do they have the necessary funds? Absolutely.

As a result, MLB.com believes the Phillies will be one of the offseason’s defining clubs.

The Phillies have been known to blow money recently. They’ve signed players like first baseman Bryce Harper, outfielder Nick Castellanos, and shortstop Trea Turner to large contracts. Deep postseason runs have paid off.

Of course, the Phillies have some tasks to complete. If they lose pitcher Aaron Nola, they must find a replacement. There are continuous suggestions that they want to deal with Castellanos. If the Phillies make such a deal for a fan favorite, it will almost certainly be for pitching.

There’s also the probable departure of Rhys Hoskins, who is unlikely to return after Philles informed the free agent that his position is now Harper’s.

According to MLB.com, the Phillies have priorities and appear to have a plan:

Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, has stated that re-signing Nola is a “priority.” If extension talks fall through, the Phillies might turn to one of the other top pitchers on the market. With closer Craig Kimbrel hitting free agency following his October meltdowns, the bullpen will also require some assistance. And, despite the fact that (Shohei) Ohtani is an imperfect positional fit, the Phillies are likely to offer him some love.

What do the Phillies require? At the very least, they need a veteran starter, and keeping Nola would be ideal. They might be able to keep Michael Lorenzen or possibly make a move for San Diego’s Blake Snell. Relief pitchers are always in high demand, and San Diego’s Josh Hader is one of the best.

Even without Ohtani, the Phillies’ offense is likely to be adequate. But, yes, the Phillies have the cash to make such a transaction, even if Ohtani won’t be able to hit until 2024.

So, will the Phillies’ offseason be defined by them? If that’s the case, they’re going to pay for it.