Generally speaking, the Braves don’t go all out in free agency. Marcell Ozuna, who joined the team the year before, signed a four-year, $65 million contract, the highest contract they had given since Alex Anthopoulos became general manager in 2017. They did, however, attempt to steal Aaron Nola from the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason by hitting a home run.
A number of reports connected Aaron Nola to the Braves before he signed a contract extension with the Phillies, and other reports surfaced after Alex Anthopoulos made a determined effort to sign him. According to one story from Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Braves even offered Nola $162 million over six years.
Following consecutive seasons with 100 wins and elimination from the division by the Phillies, the Braves extended a six-year, $162 million offer to Nola right away, according to a source on Sunday. It was a reasonable place to start. The Yankees’ winter trade for lefty Carlos Rodón, a free agent, was matched by Atlanta’s offer.
Nola’s negotiations with other teams came to an end when the Braves effectively applied pressure to the Phillies, who increased their offer to seven years. As far as Nola is concerned, there has always been hope that he will return to Philadelphia.
Nola stated, as reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “(The Braves) had interest.” In terms of business, many organizations are seeking pitching in free agency. Going through it and speaking with teams is a necessary step in the process. They had curiosity.
“Wearing a different uniform and having something else on your chest after spending your entire career with one team would have been strange.” It would have felt quite strange.
The Braves’ curiosity in Nola was not shocking at all. Alex Anthopoulos considered strengthening the rotation a primary aim from the beginning of the offseason, and Nola’s dependability made him the perfect target. The Braves had to be drawn to acquiring a workhorse who hasn’t missed a start in six years, especially for a staff that has struggled with injuries in recent seasons. Nola has thrown more than 180 innings in a season three times since 2018, never falling short of 200 innings.
Aaron Nola would have eliminated one of the greatest arms from perhaps Atlanta’s biggest threat in the National League, in addition to solidifying the Braves rotation.
On the plus side, though, the Braves’ determined pursuit of Nola does indicate that they are prepared to shell out a significant amount of money in free agency to acquire the ideal pitcher. They should be significantly involved in the market for free agency starting pitchers again next winter, whether it’s Max Fried or someone else in the offseason.
