It’s offseason time, which means we are officially in “option season”. In order to get to their free agency as fast as possible, several players decided not to exercise their options to remain a part of the National League champion. Conversely, the Phillies did exercise an option on one of their core players, a decision that is rather easy to make.
First, the one who is staying. Aaron Nola had his option picked up by the Phillies, an easy $18 million decision.
This was never in danger of not getting picked up as $18 million for what Nola can give the team is still a bargain.