By Sam Bush
ESPN’s Jeff Passan is reporting that Aaron Nola and the Phillies have agreed on a seven-year, $172 million contract.
Nola is set to undergo a physical today before the deal becomes official.
The 30-year-old Nola has started the most games in MLB (175) and throwing the second-most innings (1,065⅓, just behind Gerrit Cole at 1,076⅔) over the last six seasons.
While his ERA regressed to 4.46 last season amid a spike in home runs allowed, Nola still threw 193⅔ innings, struck out 202 and walked 45. His ability to chew innings, strike hitters out and limit walks made him one of the most desirable free agents this winter, a fact reflected in the size of his contract.
Nola was a vital part of the Phillies’ success over the last two seasons, throwing 48⅔ innings over nine postseason starts and striking out more than five times as many hitters as he walked.
Armed with a 92-mph fastball he commands exceptionally and one of the best curveballs in the game, Nola fashioned himself one of the best control artists in the game, the sort of skill set the Phillies expect to age well.
