Aaron Nola Has Unique Free-Agent Appeal
1 year agoSan Diego Padres left-hander Blake Snell is likely to win the National League Cy Young in 2023, but his highest single-season innings total of 180 2/3 innings matches free-agent right-hander Aaron Nola's lowest in his last five full seasons. The 30-year-old would be an attractive free agent in any offseason, but the way the game is trending, he might have even more appeal now than he would have 10 years ago. Nola is second in innings pitched to only Gerrit Cole in the last six seasons. The last time he was on the injured list was in 2017, and the last time he was on the IL for an arm-related injury was in 2016. He threw 193 2/3 innings in 2023. Only five pitchers worked more than 200 frames in 2023. He relies on a four-seam fastball that has averaged just 93 mph since 2020.
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal