If you’re thinking the Phillies got a steal with their signing of ace right-hander Aaron Nola to a four-year, $45 million contract, a number of rival agents would say you’re right.



The agents cite two issues with the contract, one of which is obvious: Nola, who finished third in the National League Cy Young voting last season, pushed back his free agency by at least one year and potentially two by also agreeing to a club option. Thus, he is likely to hit the open market entering his age-31 season rather than his age-29 season — a big difference, based upon how teams continue to recoil at any free agent whose age begins with a “3.”



Earlier this offseason, Patrick Corbin took advantage of the increased preference for under-30 talent by signing a six-year, $140 million free-agent deal entering his age-29 season. Gerrit Cole will be in position to follow suit next winter. And while Yu Darvish’s six-year, $126 million deal last year is...