The Phillies never got close to a deal after extensive talks in the winter with free agent-to-be Aaron Nola but are expected to pick things up after the season. Nola is said to prefer to remain in Philadelphia, and of course they want to keep him.
Though the Phillies’ offer was north of $100 million, it didn’t compare to some free-agent deals for comparable pitchers (i.e. Carlos Rodon, $162M). The Phillies may simply be waiting for free agency, as they did before successfully locking up J.T. Realmuto.
In general, teams should value dependability more than they do. Nola is one of the game’s most reliable starters and has averaged 200 innings a year since 2018.
Aaron Nola wants to remain in Philly, though is waiting for the Phils’ big money offer. Getty ImagesThe free-agent pitching market should be a doozy — with the amazing Shohei Ohtani plus Julio Urias, Nola, Sonny Gray, Jack Flaherty, Marcus Stroman (if he opts out), Lucas Giolito, Martin Perez, Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell and the great Clayton Kershaw (of course he’s unlikely to pitch for anyone but the Dodgers).
The Marlins are looking wise early for hiring Skip Schumaker, as they are 10-0 in one-run games (the only team to start 11-0 in one-run games was the 1972 Mets), which has enabled them to hold a 16-15 record despite a minus-49 run differential. Interestingly, the 2022 Marlins were a league-worst 23-40 in one-run games.
Sources say Marlins GM Kim Ng picked Schumaker despite a few front office execs favoring Matt Quatraro, the longtime Rays bench coach, among the top two. Reached by text, Ng said she wouldn’t characterize it that way: “We all loved Skip, and everyone supported the decision.”
Skip Schumaker is making the Marlins look smart. APQuatraro wound up with the Royals, 8-23 (2-13 at home). Said one rival exec: “I honestly don’t know who would win in a seven-game series: Oakland versus Kansas City.” Ouch.
Yankees third base coach Luis Rojas, the former Mets manager, finished third in that Marlins derby. …
Mets fashion expert Francisco Lindor says he likes Daniel Vogelbach’s braided blond cut, mostly because he’s gotten hits with it, and at least to Lindor looks faster. “It may be aerodynamic,” Lindor said. …
With the Yankees’ rotation injuries (and former Giants GM Brian Sabean in their front office now), they seem like a candidate to consider Madison Bumgarner, but Yankees people appear lukewarm at best. …
The Angels are considering Gary Sanchez after losing Logan O’Hoppe (West Islip) with a shoulder injury. Marcus Thames and Phil Nevin know Sanchez from Yankees days, when Sanchez was a star.
