Aaron Nola says re-signing with the Philadelphia Phillies was the only choice for him in free agency.

"I've always been a Phillie. It's the only place we kind of had our eyes set on," Nola said at Citizens Bank Park, a day after agreeing to a $172 million, seven-year contract. "It's the most comfortable place for me."

Nola, 30, was the seventh overall pick by the Phillies in 2014.

"Enjoyable and not enjoyable at the same time," Nola said of free agency, "Not really about the money. Being in a place we want to be for the next seven years. That part is more important for me. We wanted to go through and see what it's about, but ultimately this is the place we wanted to be."