Nola, Phils cease extension talks … for now

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Shortly after Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski revealed on Saturday morning that extension talks had halted with Aaron Nola, the right-hander was hit onerous by the Yankees in his last Grapefruit League begin earlier than Opening Day.

The harm: 5 earned runs on six hits (together with 4 for further bases) whereas going through simply 11 batters in an 8-3 loss at BayCare Ballpark.

Nola mentioned the timing was purely coincidental, rapidly dismissing any discuss of a distraction.

“I’m attempting to not let something get to me, it doesn’t matter what it’s,’’ Nola mentioned. “I’m going to complete my sport, deal with executing my pitches. That’s all I’m going to do. My fundamental focus is eager to have one of the best 12 months I can with these guys and for this staff.

“We had been hoping [a contract extension] would get executed. I imply, we positively tried to get it executed. But it simply didn’t work out proper. It doesn’t imply it’s over by any means. We’ll discuss on the finish of the season.’’

Nola is coming into the ultimate 12 months of a a four-year, $45 million extension he signed earlier than the 2019 season that included a $16 million membership possibility for the 2023 marketing campaign.

Nola mentioned he merely put too many pitches up within the zone towards the Yanks, however added that his physique feels fantastic after the 37-pitch outing and he’s prepared for Opening Day.

“Time to step on the gasoline,’’ Nola mentioned.

Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson mentioned he was unconcerned by Nola’s efficiency.

“Just getting his work in and he acquired some pitches up,’’ Thomson mentioned. “He hung a breaking ball [on a homer by Josh Donaldson] and left a cutter up within the zone [on a homer by Andres Chaparro]. They simply acquired it up within the wind and acquired it out of right here. He acquired his pitches in and he’s prepared for Opening Day.’’

Thomson mentioned he additionally wasn’t anxious about Nola’s contract talks.

“I believe between the 2 events it’s sort of a gents’s settlement that if nothing is completed by Opening Day, then let’s simply deal with the season and on his pitching,’’ Thomson mentioned. “And then begin up once more on the finish of the 12 months. I’m not likely concerned in that sort of stuff.’’

Dombrowski, then again, is closely concerned. He was additionally unworried, pledging to deal with the season earlier than renewing talks with Nola’s camp.

Thursday will mark Nola’s sixth consecutive Opening Day project, additional cementing his place in franchise historical past. Only two Phillies pitchers — Robin Roberts (12) and Steve Carlton (10) — have began extra consecutive season openers for the membership.

“We suppose the world of Aaron — high quality pitcher, high quality human being,’’ Dombrowski mentioned. “Sometimes you simply get thus far the place you’re simply not capable of consummate a deal that either side really feel comfy [with]. Aaron is aware of we’re very open-minded in attempting to signal him on the finish of the season. We’re hopeful he’ll stay a Phillie for a very long time.’’

Dombrowski mentioned the staff made clear its curiosity in discussing a contract extension with Nola after the World Series, however severe talks didn’t start till Spring Training.

“I believe as soon as the [regular] season begins, you are higher off to be ready to only say, ‘OK, we really tried hard from both ends of it and it just hasn’t worked out.’ And I think also from the player’s perspective … You don’t want it to be a distraction. We want him to go out there, win a bunch of games and be a quality pitcher for us all season long.’’

Joe Longo, Nola’s agent, mentioned in a press release: “We had good communication with the Phillies. We simply couldn’t agree at the moment. We’ll choose up the dialog once more on the finish of the season.’’

Nola, who turns 30 on June 4, was 11-13 with a 3.25 ERA final season and completed fourth in National League Cy Young Award voting. He leads all Major League pitchers in begins (143) and innings pitched (871 2/3) since 2018.

The Phillies chosen Nola with the seventh general choose within the 2014 MLB Draft and he made his massive league debut the next 12 months on July 21, 2015. He’s coming into his ninth massive league season; all of them have been spent in a Phillies uniform.

Nola ranks seventh on the franchise’s all-time strikeout record with 1,380 — and he may discover himself ranked fourth on that record if he racks up at the very least 206 K’s this season. He’s averaged 227 strikeouts per 12 months over the previous 4 full seasons.