Phillies Exercise Ace's 2023 Option

He'll be back for the 2023 season.

The Philadelphia Phillies have exercised ace starter Aaron Nola's $16 million option for the 2023 season.

Phillies pick up Aaron Nola $18M option

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 7, 2022

Nola has certainly been worth every penny, and more, since signing a four-year, $45 million extension with the Phillies in March of 2019. He's put together a 16.1 WAR over those four seasons which puts him sixth among all MLB pitchers in that time.

Nola will now return to the Phillies at a team-friendly price before hitting the free-agent market in 2024. 

This past season, the twenty-nine-year-old posted a 3.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 235 strikeouts over 205 innings of work. 

It wouldn't be surprising to see the Phillies try to work out a long-term deal with Nola in the coming months to make sure he doesn't hit free agency next winter.

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports