MLB Rumors: A trade deadline shocker, Brewers megadeal looming, Phillies Nola question

MLB Rumors: Will the Phillies trade Aaron Nola?

The defending National League champions have looked anything but that over the last month, despite the return of Bryce Harper. Nick Castellanos tried to will his team to victory on Friday night with five RBIs, but it wasn’t enough, and they lost again to the Washington Nationals.

Aaron Nola is on the final year of his contract, and is the undeniable homegrown ace of this staff. He and Zack Wheeler make a formidable one-two punch, and should they make the postseason again, the Phillies will be as scary as ever. But, what if Rob Thomson’s group cannot right the ship?

Nola and Phillies front office executive Dave Dombrowski could not agree to a new contract in spring training, thus signaling the Nola may get to test the market next winter (if not traded first).

“We think the world of him, quality pitcher, quality human being, but sometimes you get to this point where you’re not able to consummate a deal that both sides feel comfortable,” Dombrowski said at the time. “We’re very open minded to trying to sign him at the end of the season. We’re hopeful he’ll remain a Phillie for a long time.”

Hopeful is a lot different from certain.

Nola has a 4.70 ERA so far this season. If he doesn’t improve by late July, then the Phillies would be trading him when his value is lowest — in a down year with little contract flexibility. Should he improve, however, then the Phillies have a tough question to ask themselves: Will they actually put forth the necessary resources to re-sign Nola, and will it be enough?

“Because the Phillies are over the luxury-tax threshold, if Nola leaves, their only compensation will be a pick after the fourth round. This is one of those scenarios that will take more than a month to play out,” Passan noted in his column.

There’s no right answer at the moment, but Dombrowski has much to think about.