The Philadelphia Phillies ensured their ace would stay home on Sunday, re-signing Aaron Nola to a seven-year contract worth $172 million. Recent rumors suggested that Nola wanted a deal worth an estimated $30 million AAV, but he took a hometown discount to remain in the City of Brotherly Love.
Nola and Zack Wheeler make up a formidable 1-2 punch in the Phils rotation. However, by no means is Dave Dombrowski done just yet. The Phillies are expected to feature one of the highest-paid payrolls in the majors once again next season. After falling just short of World Series expectations -- the Phils lost Games 6 and 7 at home to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS -- Dombrowski wants to improve his team, not just keep it in tact.
Expect the Phillies to be in on several other big names, whether it be via the free agent market or trade rumors. In fact, they've already been linked to another high-profile starting pitcher after inking Nola.
MLB Rumors: Could the Phillies sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto?
The number of teams interested in Japanese starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto is nearing double digits, so the Phillies are not alone in this sentiment. However, Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Sunday that signing Nola does not take the Phillies out of the case for Yamamoto:
"A source with knowledge of the Phillies' thinking says that they are still in the market for Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Nola was their top priority, but now that he has been signed, the Phillies will look to further bolster their pitching depth," Coffey reported.
The Phillies have reportedly been aggressive in signing Yamamoto, and if they are unable to land him via free agency, sources tell Coffey it's unlikely they'll sign another top-line starter of his caliber. However, you have to admire Dombrowski for trying to add to the Phils rotation in this manner.
MLB Rumors: Could the Phillies trade for outfielder Alex Verdugo?
The Phillies are known to be in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder. The Boston Red Sox are shopping Alex Verdugo under new front office executive Craig Breslow. Could this be a match made in heaven? MLB Trade Rumors sure thinks so.
"Verdugo could provide the club with a quality defensive outfielder who would provide more certainty than relying on the likes of Johan Rojas and Christian Pache to play alongside Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos," wrote Nick Deeds.
Adding Verdugo to the outfield mix makes a lot of sense, especially since Nick Castellanos is reportedly trade bait this offseason. While Mike Trout is the far bigger name and attractive option, the Angels have been clear from the jump that he is not for sale. Verdugo is a cheaper outfield which fits the Phillies needs. At his best, he can provide an offensive jolt and has all the makings of a Phillies fan favorite.
Verdugo has slashed .278/.334/.417 with a wRC+ of 102 since the start of the 2021 season, per MLBTR. Those numbers would make him a valuable addition to any lineup, including the Phils, which need more on-base production to go alongside their tremendous power.
MLB Rumors: Could the Phillies swing a trade for Dylan Cease?
You can file this one under tremendously unlikely. However, it's a known fact that the White Sox are listening to offers on ace Dylan Cease. He is coming off a down season by his standards, so while the asking price is large, by no means would he be impossible to acquire. New Chicago GM Chris Getz has publicly said he does not like his MLB roster.
A recent trade of Aaron Bummer to the Atlanta Braves showcased the need for talent at all levels of the White Sox farm system. A rebuild is under way on the south side, and trading away Cease could net the Sox plenty of minor-league talent that better fits their competitive window.
The Phillies could offer a prospect-laden package around top prospects like Justin Crawford (ranked No. 77 overall by MLB Pipeline) and more. Cease won't net much more for the White Sox moving forward, as he still has a few years remaining on his contract. Now is the time to move off his remaining years if Chicago has any intention on trading him.
Whether the Phillies are a potential suitor remains a significant question mark, but it sure seems worth a phone call.
