That Balls Outta Here
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4 contracts the Philadelphia Phillies could unload before 2022

By Gabrielle Starr

Aug 11, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Scott Kingery (4) is unable to field the ball hit by Baltimore Orioles left fielder Dwight Smith Jr. (35) in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Scott Kingery (4) is unable to field the ball hit by Baltimore Orioles left fielder Dwight Smith Jr. (35) in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies Aaron Nola
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Should the Phillies trade Aaron Nola?

Aaron Nola hurt his team more than he helped them this season. He struggled to perform and missed time due to a team COVID outbreak after he refused to get vaccinated.

Over 32 starts, Nola posted a 4.63 ERA, the second-worst of his seven-year career. The 28-year-old righty failed to pitch 200+ innings for the first time since 2017. His hit and home run rates increased, while his strikeout rate decreased.

Nola allowed three or more earned runs in 19 of 32 games and only made four scoreless starts. In addition to ineffectiveness, there was a lack of depth; he did not reach six full innings in 18 of his games. As such, the Phillies were 15-17 in his games.

The Phillies already need to add at least one starter to their rotation for 2022. They have Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, and Kyle Gibson. Zach Eflin’s late-season surgery will likely sideline him for a portion of the first half of 2022.

So, when it comes to Nola, the Phillies have a decision to make. They can keep him and hope he bounces back in 2022, or trade him based on the premise that he will. If they keep him and he continues to struggle, or even gets worse, his trade value will be even lower than it is now.

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