Extend Nola Now!

Aaron Nola is a serious contender for the National League Cy Young Award. His performance today, ending a 4-game losing streak, might have save the Phillies playoff hopes. He was spectacular today, outpitching last year's Cy Young winner, Max Scherzer.

Aaron Nola is also one of the lowest-paid players on the team. He will earn $573,000 this season, a fraction above the MLB minimum.

It's time for the Phils to reward Nola and make him the team ace for years to come. If this team thought it was OK to give the unproven Scott Kingery a 6-year deal, it should absolutely sign Nola to a long-term extension.

In 2012, Cole Hamels signed a 6-year, $144 million contract extension with the Phillies. He had a World Series MVP on his resume at the time. Hamels is 7-6 in postseason appearances with a 3.48 ERA.

Let's compare Hamels and Nola at the same point in their careers. As of today, Nola has started 86 games. He has pitched 525.2 innings and has an ERA of 3.41 with a WHIP of 1.157 and 541 strikeouts. Hamels made 84 starts through the first 3 years of his career. He pitched 543 innings with an ERA of 3.43 and 518 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.136. The numbers are almost identical.

I think Nola will end up being better than Hamels, who when he came up, was the most highly regarded pitching prospect in years. Nola has proven his worth. Now it's time for the Phils to pay him like the ace that he is.