Ace Aaron Nola exchanged arbitration numbers with the Phillies yesterday and the sides were pretty far apart. The Phillies offered $4.5 million while Nola requested $6.75 million. I'm actually surprised Nola's figure was as low as it was. Coming off a season when he finished third in Cy Young voting, second in ERA, third in WHIP and innings pitched and fifth in strikeouts, he absolutely deserves to be paid like an ace.
So it looks like they'll go to arbitration. Maybe the Phillies will try to sign Nola to a long-term contract, or they'll take their chances and sign him to a 1-year deal and try again next year. But there's a risk of animosity from Nola not getting what he feels he's worth.
The Phils did agree on 1-year contracts with Cesar Hernandez, Maikel Franco, Vince Velasquez, Adam Morgan, and Aaron Altherr.
And today, owner John Middleton, team president Andy McPhail, GM Matt Klentak, manager Gabe Kapler and maybe even the Phanatic are in Las Vegas to meet with free agent outfielder Bryce Harper and his agent, sith lord Scott Boras. It's pretty unlikely Middleton writes Harper a check today. I expect Harper and Boras to drag this out as long as possible, to try and squeeze as much money out of potential suitors.
Meanwhile, Manny Machado is still unsigned. The Yankees appear to be out of the running for him since they've signed infielders Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu. The White Sox have signed two of Machado's best friends, John Jay and Yonder Alonzo. The Phillies countered this week by signing Bobby Dickerson as infield coach. Dickerson was Machado's mentor with the Orioles, and he's know the superstar since he was in high school in Miami.
I still think the Phils end up with Machado. I hope it happens soon. The waiting is brutal. And, and there's only 34 days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Clearwater.
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