After seeing how this offseason has played out for a number of free agents, Aaron Nola was smart to re-sign with the Philadelphia Phillies.
He was only a free agent for a few weeks before signing a seven-year, $172 million contract to stay with the Phillies back in November. Perhaps he could've gotten more if he'd tested the market in earnest, but ask Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell how that's going for them.
Now that Nola's been paid, he wants to see Philadelphia do the same for his teammate Zack Wheeler next offseason ( if not before). He wants to keep his wingman in the rotation for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, that's not a good idea for the Phillies. Wheeler is heading into his age-34 season, so a new contract would take him into the second half of his 30s.
That's a dangerous age for ballplayers, especially pitchers.
Nola turned 30 last year, so having two pitchers in their 30s locked up to expensive, long-term contracts would be incredibly risky.
It would be stupid, and potentially crippling if both of them get hurt and/or decline.
Unfortunately for Nola, it's in Philadelphia's best interest to let Wheeler walk next offseason, regardless of how he performs this year. Giving a big contract to an aging pitcher just doesn't make much sense, especially given the Phillies' other large financial commitments to Nola, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, etc.
Philadelphia would be better off spending that money on a younger player rather than potentially buying up Wheeler's decline years.
Wheeler's had a great run with the Phillies so far, but next winter it will be time to move on.
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