Scott Boras asked for a large contract extension for Bryce Harper, and the Nationals are balking at the money:
Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper has started talks for a contract extension but is asking for a record-breaking deal that will exceed 10 years in length and pay him more than $400 million, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, says discussions have taken place for a one-year deal in 2017. Harper earned $5 million in 2016 and is eligible for salary arbitration.
The Nationals believe the difference in negotiations may be too big to overcome and could prepare to move on without him.
This strikes me as a bargain. A $400 million price tag should buy 50 WAR at the going free agent rate. Harper, who has not yet hit his prime, might post that in six or seven seasons. If it were a 12-year, back loaded deal, the Nationals could get a lot of residual value, especially as inflation pushes salaries higher over the years. If Harper and posted another great season instead of an off year, he might be asking for $600 million.
On the other hand, he has been injury prone. I still suspect his relatively poor 2016 was due to some nagging injury. Still he seems worth the risk. Twelve years at 33.3 million a year? The Nationals should jump at the opportunity to lock up a player of that talent level at that price. If he plays great in 2017 and 2018 and hits the free agent market, his contract will dwarf what’s on the table.
I agree, David — if I’m the Washington GM, I can’t wait to sign off on this deal.
I wonder if the team’s reluctance has to do with Boras –maybe feeling the deal’s too good to be true, considering the source, and that there must be some hidden catch to it.
He’s a potential HOFer. Make him the face of you franchise for the next 15 years, sell lots of jerseys and a last year farewell tour. If not, the Yankees would be looking to make a nice flashy signing.
Harper wants 400 million? Other than career year 2015, has never posted OPS+ above 135 or WAR above 6.
Can I have the crack you guys are smoking?
I’m with SocraticGadfly, I’ve begun to think Harper’s overrated. He had a monster 2015, and I’d love to see him repeat that over and over. You’re probably right that he’s got a nagging injury. Whatever’s happening, his injury problems, are a HUGE drawback.
In a way, Harper reminds me of Paul Molitor, who always seemed to have a hard time playing a full season ’til he was 33. That makes me think that the Nats would do better to actually trade him to an AL team (who could at least get value from him as a DH when he’s not quite healthy enough for fielding). Without Molitor’s 5334 PA as a DH, he probably wouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame.
Harper has had exactly one good year that would justify that salary. Until he can show some consistency and maturity i would pass
Per Devon above, here’s my blogging take on Harper and Boras as crack-smokers: http://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2016/12/bryce-harper-and-scott-boras-crack.html
I’d give Mike Trout that amount of money and years. Wouldn’t even blink twice. Harper though? Not so sure. His 2016 was merely good. Certainly not worth a contract like that. Remains to be seen if he can repeat what he did in 2015.
As usual, Dave, you are “right on the money.” The Nats should just cough up the money. Harper and Trout are the best young players not just now, but that we’ve seen in many many years.
His 2015 line converted to the year 2000 and to Red Sox ballpark factor:
.370BA .504OBA .726SA 1.230OPS
what is actually was in 2016 in Nats Park:
.330BA .460OBA .649SA 1.109OPS
Harper is being killed by the era he’s playing in, and by he park he’s playing in. He’s not a great player, he’s a HOF player.
Art Kyriazis, Philly