Dodgers Rumors: Aaron Nola Reportedly Didn’t Want to Play in Los Angeles
Imagine not liking the city of Los Angeles. Yeah, it couldn’t be us.
But apparently, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola is among the group of people who don’t like Los Angeles. It has been reported that he did meet with the Dodgers in free agency before he re-signed with Philadelphia, but didn’t sign due to his dislike of the city.
“The Dodgers did have dialogue with the Phillies starter, but my understanding was he did not like the city of Los Angeles.”
Via AM570 Sports Radio
Nola was one of the top choices for the Dodgers this offseason in terms of upgrading their starting rotation, but it wasn’t meant to be. He ultimately went back to the Phillies, a place that he clearly never wanted to leave in the first place.
He would have been a solid get for the team, especially due to his postseason success. Nola never shied away from the biggest of moments, even in this past playoff run for Philadelphia. He saw his ERA dip from 4.46 in the regular season to 2.35 in the playoffs.
When the Phillies come to town next year, if Nola starts a game, he can expect to hear some boos from the Dodgers fans. It’s not the biggest thing that he didn’t want to play in Los Angeles, but fans always remember things like this.
It was always a long shot to bring Nola to town, and the organization only wants players who want to be here. This is similar to how things went down with Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon a few years ago when he spoke about the “Hollywood lifestyle” of being on the Dodgers.
In the end, the Dodgers dodged a bullet with Rendon, and while it remains to be seen what happens with Nola, maybe history repeats itself. LA will now pivot their focus onto other free-agent starting pitchers, and some make more sense than Nola ever did.
Photo Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
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It’s ok if he didn’t want to play in LA. Let’s make him feel the pain of that decision over the next few years. And make him realize he was thinking LA Angels and NOT LA Dodgers.
Yeah…. maybe they’ll be still be people in the Los Angeles area the next couple years. Well for next year, between the 3rd and 6th
Inning anyway. I don’t really care for Philidelphia myself, but he can drive to the ballpark in 20 minutes from his house.
And I think it’s cool that he’s only been employed by the Phillies his entire life.
And he’ll never have to pay for a drink or a meal in that city rest of his life.
So $20 million here or there… I’d stay there.
And I agree with you, Anaheim a joke!
So really the only thing he wanted was to use the Dodgers to get a larger contract from the Phillies. I understand it, but Nola’s “people” are idiots for letting this leak. Maybe the Phillies will lower his offer before he actually signs his new deal.
Who cares? Good riddance
I’m a Dodgers fan since ’58….& I’m a native Angelino…I resent people who don’t like L.A. It’s their loss…SCREW THEM!!!