Bryce Harper recently spoke about his love for the Washington, D.C. and for the Nationals organization, plainly stating that he hopes to remain there beyond the 2018 season but also adding that he “[has] no idea” if he’s a part of the front office’s plans moving forward. General manager Mike Rizzo responded in candid fashion yesterday in talking with reporters (link via Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post). “Of course he’s in our plans,” said the GM. “He’s a part of our family. … Like I’ve always said, with these type of deals, you’re not betting on the baseball player; you’re betting on the person. He’s a person we’d like to have with us.” Rizzo, of course, didn’t make any definitive statements about the possibility of re-signing Harper. And as Janes points out, such a massive financial decision will ultimately be an ownership-level decision.
More on the Nats…
- In a second column, Janes speaks with Stephen Strasburg about the shoulder injury that sidelined him earlier this season and has resulted in a notable velocity drop since his return from the disabled list. Strasburg acknowledges that his stuff is diminished at present but adds that he’s optimistic about recovering his lost zip on his heater. “I think it’ll come back. 100 percent, just based on what the doctors said I’ve been dealing with,” said Strasburg. Still, the Nats need to determine how much they can count on from Strasburg next season, Janes writes, and the answer to that question will likely impact the team’s offseason maneuverings.
- As ever, the Nationals will have a fair bit of financial resources at their disposal this offseason, but with numerous holes around the roster, they’ll likely have to turn to the trade market as well, writes Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com. Rizzo addressed that need following yesterday’s game as well, voicing confidence that the Nats have the farm system to upgrade where necessary. “We have an extremely popular minor league system,” said Rizzo. “We certainly have players with trade value. But we’re going to attack this from every different angle: free agency, trades, internal options.” Rizzo added that he believes the 2018 season to be “an anomaly” and that the organization once again compete for a division title next season.
Everyone loves where their at till someone else dangles giant money at them. 6 months from now he will Express how excited he is to join his new team.
The Nationals have big money too. The problem is Scott Boras. He will takes his time fielding offers and the stretch out the process even more. There is no clear favorite for Harper right now.
I agree. Nationals have dough. There is a good chance he stays
The Nationals can probably finish two games above .500 without Harper and the question is if they resign him, what’s left to spend on other moves? Some of his cost can be offset by revenue he himself likely adds to the team’s coffers but to win the East next year assuming all but Florida also spend, are they better served conceptually trading for a number 2 and spend their budget on multiple other players?
Harper to the Giants!
ZERO % chance that happens.
Zero chance he goes to the Giants? Bahahaha!! And you know this how?
Nice sense of humor..
New GM will want to make a splash. Giants ownership were willing to take on Stanton’s contract last year. Just give the $35mill that are coming off the books from Pence and McCutch to Harper.
Why. SF is a terrific organization with a wonderful fan base and beautiful ballpark in a large market. Why not SF
Hunter Strickland. Lol but jokes aside SF is one of the top orgs to go to if you are a FA. The Loyalty they have to players is unreal.
“I loved it in Washington. I would love to stay here [if they give me the money].”
If they do sign Harper then a trade of Robles or Soto has to happen right? With Soto/Eaton/Robles/Taylor/Harper it’s a crowded picture and only 2 of those guys are truly CF capable. Just don’t see the fit unless Bryce can adapt to play 1B.
An outfield of Robles Soto and Harper is exceptional. Robles and Soto are controllable for the next 5-6 seasons. Soto is going to be a perennial All-Star and Robles has the same potential. The question for Rizzo and Lerner is if they feel they beed to spend big for Harper.
Personally, I wouldn’t do it. Harper has been very streaky and the Nats would be better served extending Rendon and spending on pitching.
Forgot Adam Eaton. If the Nats sign Harper one of Eaton, Robles or Soto has to go.
Yea but for example Robles can go in a Trade for a top catcher … and Miami has one to offer
Harper is the most overrated player in baseball. Yes he has an MVP but he’s played 7 seasons has only two with 30 plus HR, 1 year over 100 RBI and batted over 300 twice. Not to mention he get injured frequently. I can’t wait to see some dumb team give him 400 million and regret it after year 3
He had 1.3 war this year according to BR. How does that warrant 300 million plus, even considering his history? He has had a lot of off years in his career.
I’m sure that team won’t care if they win a couple WS in those first 3 years.
Agreed. I am scared the Phillies will and it would be a mistake. Take his name off and look at his stats. Not $300M or even $200M.
Unfortunately more interested in fantasizing about a Trout trade this winter then caring where Harper goes. Remember when this was going to be the megalith free agency winter? Uggh
Yeah, about that…
When the bar has been set by the Harper and Machado signings, then Eppler will sign Trout to an extension.
No trade. No Santa, either, as long as I’m breaking bad news.
Harper is overrated. There are 50 players in MLB as good or better. I wouldn’t give him more than 30 million per for 7, and I think that’s too much but he has MVP potential. He’ll probably get 300 for 10 but 210 is still a lot of money.
“There are 50 players in MLB as good or better” please list those players.
Betts, Martinez, Yelich, Altuve, Trout, Freeman, Rendon, Machado, Arenado, Ramirez, Lindor, Carpenter, Baez, Rizzo, Goldschmidt, Bregman, Davis, Bogaerts, Brantley, Judge, Turner……
Most of your list, in the famous words of Johnny Mac…you can’t be serious!
As far as pure results, the above players have outperformed Harper this season. While Harper has more pure talent than many of those the performance has not been consistent enough to warrant a contract beyond what the above player signed (with the caveat that Harper is younger so he would get a more AAV/years).
I think it would be a bad business decision for the Nats to sign Harper for anything close to what he and Boras will be asking for several reasons
1. The Lerner’s have shown that they have a firm limit on the top end of the payroll. Committing a big chunk to Harper almost certainly would hamper Rizzzo’s ability to extend Rendon and perhaps Turner.
2. Nats need at least one (prob 2) starting pitchers (one must be a lefty), a catcher that can hit, and bullpen depth. They don’t have enough pitching prospects to do much in the way of trades, so they’ll have to focus on filling those needs via free agency. Harper/Boras could drag out his negotiations with several teams for months, time during which the Nats could miss out on other FA players.
IMO, they should make him a QO and say goodbye. Use those funds to fill other needs, an outfield of Soto, Robles and Eaton is still strong.
There is NO CHANCE he comes back to the Nationals. Scott Boras will price him out and make it difficult for the team to resign him just like he always do.
Last five seasons:
JD Martinez – BA .307 / OPS .959
Harper – BA .283 / OPS .918
Martinez (clearly much better) just signed a five year deal for $110M ($22M per season).
I wouldn’t offer Harper more per season (maybe $20M), but I might go longer due to his age.