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Phillies, Aaron Nola agree to contract extension

The ace is in place for the next four-plus years

MLB: Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

They did it.

On the even of an arbitration hearing that would have pitted Aaron Nola against his employer over 2019 salary figures, the two sides have instead reached an agreement on a long-term contract.

Per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Matt Gelb, Nola and the Phillies have agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract, plus a fifth-year club option for $16 million.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan provides further details on the deal’s structure, which includes a $2 million signing bonus and fifth-year buyout details.

In total, the deal could be worth five years and $61 million, which would eclipse one of Nola’s closest comps, Carlos Martinez, who signed a deal for 5/51 in February 2017.

The Phillies’ move to lock up their homegrown ace was a much-needed one, as the two sides avoid any potential acrimony in a hearing.

With an average annual value of $11.25 million, the Phillies’ payroll now stands at an estimated $166 million for 2019. We assume they’re not done making moves just yet.

Update (2/13, 5:00 p.m.): Jayson Stark reports that Nola’s contract also contains award incentives for Cy Young votes, as detailed below.