Earlier this week, I wrote an article explaining the situation the Philadelphia Phillies currently find themselves in. Their homegrown ace has a contract that is expiring at the end of this season, and they have a few different options at their disposal. But, what if they went the trade route? Aaron Nola would fetch a pretty penny on the trade market, especially from contending teams with strong farm systems. Let’s break down three potential Aaron Nola trades that could happen.
Happy 30th birthday Aaron Nola. 7th overall pick by #Phillies in the 2014 draft. Debuted 2015, free agent after this year: 215 starts, 82-66, 3.67 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, 1122 hits over 1303 IP with a 1445/344 K:BB. Finished top four in NL Cy Young voting twice and a 2018 NL All-Star. pic.twitter.com/7MjtUG8o98
— PHILLIES BELL (@PhilliesBell) June 4, 2023
Potential Aaron Nola Trades
#1. Nola to the Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are currently in the midst of a season that they have not experienced since 2016. That was the last time that they made the playoffs. Behind the emergence of star catcher Adley Rutschman and a strong bullpen, the Orioles have an opportunity to end that drought this year. However, they could use some help in their rotation to really seal the deal.
The Orioles rotation holds an ERA of 4.82 at the time of writing. That’s worse than a Quality Start per outing. Adding Aaron Nola to the mix would do wonders to help them in more ways than one. He would immediately slot in as their ace, sliding everyone back a spot in the rotation, and taking the bulk of the starts and the innings. Prior to the season, the Orioles had the number-one-ranked farm system in baseball. A package including Coby Mayo, Cade Povich, and Chayce McDermott should get the job done.
Orioles get: Aaron Nola
Phillies get: 3B Coby Mayo (#9 in Orioles top 30), LHP Cade Povich (#11), and RHP Chayce McDermott (#17)
#2. Nola to the Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are no stranger to regular season success of late. Having made the playoffs in every season since 2019, and winning the AL in 2020, they would like to win the whole thing for the first time in franchise history. They have a very good chance of doing so, as they currently hold the best record in baseball by a wide margin, but a little nudge over the edge never hurt anybody.
The Rays have developed and improved pitching at a rate that is matched by no other team. They currently hold a rotational ERA of 2.91, but due to injuries, they have had to use 11 different starters to achieve that. Aaron Nola would add a little more stability to their rotation, as he is one of the preeminent ironmen pitchers in the game today. The Rays entered the season with the sixth-ranked farm system in baseball, and a package of Junior Caminero, Mason Montgomery, and Cole Wilcox should be sufficient.
Rays get: Aaron Nola
Phillies get: 2B/3B Junior Caminero (#5), LHP Mason Montgomery (#6), and RHP Cole Wilcox (#9)
#3. Nola to the Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are currently doing what no one expected of them this season, as they have a 2.5-game lead on the Los Angeles Dodgers for the division. Behind the offensive production of young phenom Corbin Carroll and the outstanding performances from Cy Young contenders Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, the Diamondbacks do have a shot at the playoffs, if only a Wild Card spot.
After Gallen and Kelly, the rotation takes a massive dropoff. Gallen and Kelly each hold ERAs below 3, while no other pitcher to have started for them this season holds an ERA below 4.5. Enter Aaron Nola. Nola would slot into their number two hole in the rotation, moving Kelly back to the three-hole, and giving the Diamondbacks one of the most dangerous rotations in baseball, especially in a 5-game series. A package of Deyvison De Los Santos, Blake Walston, and Landon Sims should be enough to make this trade work.
Diamondbacks get: Aaron Nola
Phillies get: 3B/1B Deyvison De Los Santos (#4), LHP Blake Walston (#5), and RHP Landon Sims (#6)
Main photo credits:
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Aaron Nola, Adley Rutschman, Coby Mayo, Cade Povich, Chayce McDermott, Junior Caminero, Mason Montgomery, Cole Wilcox, Corbin Carroll, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Deyvison De Los Santos, Blake Walston, Landon Sims
