If you’ve been away from the internet for the last 24 hours, you’ll want to catch up on the major free agent news that broke yesterday. If not, you can safely skip ahead to focusing on what’s next: the final stretch of bidding for Bryce Harper. Here’s the latest:
- The Phillies’ “total focus” right now is on Harper, Heyman tweets. Another free agent, such as Dallas Keuchel and/or Craig Kimbrel could become a target once Harper signs (be it in Philadelphia or elsewhere), but at the moment, the organization’s efforts are zeroed in on landing Harper.
- Todd Zolecki, Mark Feinsand and Jamal Collier of MLB.com write that the Phillies are wary of bidding against themselves and overpaying for Harper. Notably, the MLB.com trio cite multiple sources in reporting that the Nationals “have no plans to give Harper a mega-deal comparable to Machado’s 10-year, $300 million contract.” If that’s the case, then it’s not clear exactly who’d pose a threat to the Phillies at present, as the Giants’ interest in Harper has repeatedly been reported to be on a shorter term deal with a significant annual value. The report also cites two sources indicating that approximately $100MM of the Nationals’ initial 10-year, $300MM offer to Harper (issued back in September) would have been deferred. Certainly, ownership could still decide to step up and retain the face of the franchise, but the fact that the initial offer was well shy of $300MM in actual, present-day value because of those deferrals doesn’t bode well for the Nats now deciding to top $300MM. Machado’s deal reportedly contains no deferrals.
- Giants president of baseball ops Farhan Zaidi didn’t speak with an increased urgency after the Padres landed Machado, as Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. Specifically, Zaidi stated that he doesn’t think the Machado agreement “really changes how we’re viewing our team and what we might still do with it,” going on to emphasize the importance of making the “right decision” rather than acting “in a reactionary way.”
Earlier Updates
- Harper has recently rejected “multiple offers” of $300MM or more, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). All five teams listed below have been involved to some degree of late. This report certainly suggests that Harper won’t have trouble topping Machado’s final price tag, though it remains unclear just how high the money could go. The final bidding seemed to boost Machado’s ultimate earning level quite a bit, and it’s not hard to imagine a final run-up raising Harper’s contract price.
- The White Sox are “out of the Bryce Harper sweepstakes,” according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (Twitter links). It had been fair to wonder whether the club would pivot to Harper after missing out on Manny Machado. Instead, though, it seems that ship has already sailed. Whether that’s because the bidding has already outstripped the South Siders’ spending levels or due to other considerations isn’t clear, but it seems Harper’s list of suitors is down at least one team. That said, Nightengale notes that the White Sox could still look into other free agents. He lists a few possibilities in the infield (Marwin Gonzalez, Josh Harrison) and rotation (Gio Gonzalez), though it’s not really clear whether any of those players are particular targets for the White Sox.
- Unsurprisingly, the Giants are still involved in the hunt for Harper, per a report from Andy Martino of SNY.tv (Twitter links). The “sense” from Martino’s sources, it seems, is that the San Francisco organization has “a shot” at striking a deal while the Phillies face “a tough road” to land Harper — at least, that is, without going north of Giancarlo Stanton’s record-holding contract to do it. That’s an interesting characterization of the state of play, as there have been indications that the Giants are less than enthused about offering the kind of lengthy deal that Harper still seeks.
- Whether teams beyond the three listed in this post are involved on Harper is not entirely clear at this point. There are conflicting indications on the Padres, though it seems hard to imagine they’d end up landing both Harper and Machado. While the Nationals probably can’t be ruled out entirely until the ink is dry, there are indications that the club has moved on. Mystery teams have reportedly also been circling, though we haven’t heard any updates on that in some time.
david klein
When is Nightengale ever right though?
jimbo504 2
never
mack22 2
Well there was that one time….no that was someone else. Yeah right never.
SilvioDante
He has a direct line into the pompous and arrogant Kenny Williams, White Sox Exec VP of Baseball Ops. Williams simply can’t stop himself from talking. He’s been Nightengale’s inside White Sox source for years .
whynot101
Williams and WSox still trying to fluff their manny bid as best! It was NOT and you failed to put THE winning bid for him. I will remember not to buy tickets for them and fluff my way to the Telly for free
GoSoxGo
They made a tremendous offer, and the fact that they were outbid by a small-market team indicates only that MLB as a whole is financially strong.
johnrealtime
Will you make your way back to the stadium if the Padres end up regretting that contract? Would you have made the same proclamation if the Sox had stayed out of the Machado sweepstakes altogether or are you just offended that they stopped their bidding at 250 million dollars instead of the most money ever given in free agency?
JPADA
Watching ball games on TV isn’t free, unless your a thief stealing cable.
lowtalker1
When have the white Sox ever been a big market team? They are notoriously cheap and historically cheap
rp25
haha largest sports contract in chicago ever offered by over 60 million and youre that mad? Ill live with the sox, signing a guy to 10 yrs and at least 310 million which would be what they needed to top san diego is always a risk.
monymgr
Well Said !!
Jockstrapper
GoSoxGo you are the biggest Sox mark. Stop embarrassing yourself on this board. Actually, don’t. It’s too funny. Lol
Bryzzo2016
This
Koamalu
Machado is not only one of the top 40 players of all time through his age 25 season and 1st 6 seasons of service time, he is also one of the few FA ever that was going into their age 26 season.
Harper is also fits in both of those groups above.
fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&…
Half of all long term contracts have worked out in the end for the teams involved per the article on The Athletic. Not one of those was for a 26 year old player. The ones that most people complain about like Pujols were for players that were on the downside of 30, not for players just entering their 26-30 year old prime.
roc2389
You do realize the per year average of the Sox offer was actually greater than the annual offer the Padres made. How do you consider them cheap when the average annual salary was greater than what SD offered?
axisofhonor25
Because the “incentives” to hit 350 mil could have had a bunch of parameters to be met. One of those contracts where the potential to make 350 was there but not guaranteed. They got too cute with the contract language. Notoriously players like Machado always go for more guarenteed money
southbeachbully
Where was it stated they offered more than $30 mil per?
Strike Four
Because they offered less total money. Yes, teams SHOULD pay for a superstars late 30s and early 40s, being that those teams profited from when he was making too little early in his career.
It’s so messed up that big-name prospects first games literally sell more tickets, but those players get min wage. Baseball needs to change, but we can change first in reversing this dumb, anti-American narrative of “players make too much, owners deserve all the profits.” It’s especially silly in baseball, where the players drive 100% of the interest.
Mikel Grady
And 0 World Series rings .
teufelshunde4
Jerry Reinsdorf is among worst owners in sports.
See Jerry Krause vs MJ as one of reasons why
NL_East_Rivalry
I believe their offer was 8/250 which is over 31 MM.
jleve618
Some games are free. Depends on the channel.
Bunselpower
When you use the word “should” to argue anything, you’ve lost.
Grebek7
Absolutely correct Whynot, Reinsdorf was never going to the 300 mil guaranteed & Jerry was thrilled he signed with Padres. Hilarious that your comment that is spot-on has all those downvotes,reiterates the sad state of affairs this country faces, the blind sheep outnumber logical thinking people 50:1. Manny repeatedly said he wanted 300. Jerry refused to give permission to Rick to get to that number, forget about the incentives that coulda pushed it to 340, that’s not guaranteed. Who wouldn’t want to play in bright sunshine of San Diego instead of the May snowstorms in Chicago. Especially, when the Padres had the superior offer. Worst part of this for Sox is none of the MLB powerhouses were in on Manny & they still wet the bed. For these next 5 yrs there won’t be any FA’s available the caliber of Machado or Harper. Arenado will either be resigned by CO. or if he reaches free agency one of the powerhouses will land him.
George Vasios
Hey, Kenny Williams WENT TO STANFORD. Show some respect!!!
dray16
more than Heyman
barrybonds1994
Anything Nightengale says, the opposite will happen
canocorn
Perfect reverse-barometer
xXabial
still wouldnt be surprised if Chicago was “actually ” still in the hunt. Teams do tend to send nonfactually info to deter reports.
so now Chicago is the mystery team…
neurogame
He’s a broken watch so, probably twice a day? However, even that seems generous for him. I’ll guess he’s on military time, so just once a day..
scrapple22
More than Olney.
CardsNation5
When is he ever wrong?
KCJ
Nightengale? How about Heyman? By the way, has anyone ever seen Boras and Heyman in the same room at the same time?
Jason C.
never
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
Nightengale and CNBC’s Jim Cramer have been opining for years and earning big bucks and neither one is right very often. David Klein is correct for posing his question. Me? I think the Padres shock the world and sign Harper too.
YADI
gonna end up back with nats i bet
Polymath
Here’s the quote: “Mystery teams have reportedly also been circling, though we haven’t heard any updates on that in some time.”
If reports are circling, then you’ve heard something; but if you haven’t heard anything, then there are no reports circling. Which is it?
averagejoe15
He’s talking about past reports of mystery teams, saying there haven’t been any recent updates to those previous reports. I don’t think this is that confusing of a phrase.
Jeff Todd
You sort of tweaked that to suit your point, since I did not write that “reports are circling.”
The phrasing is intentionally ambiguous since I don’t know what’s going on. There was recent reporting suggesting there were mystery teams circling, but it has been a while since we’ve heard of that concept and we haven’t seen additional details emerge. I added a link to the text to the reporting I was referring to.
Polymath
Jeff, I accept your clarification. Thank you.
Strike Four
who cares? you need to get off the site with “rumors” in its title if you hate rumors.
jleve618
I mostly come here for the comments.
Web
third
sufferforsnakes
First what?
jimbo504 2
cool story bro
luclusciano
I don’t know is there
Buzz Saw
I second that
canocorn
What plays 2nd base
washington_bonercats
I understood that reference
Pax vobiscum
Likewise with Martino.
c ya
They all should make a LIFETIME movie about all of this. I would enjoy it again and again
Chicks Dig the Longball
Lifetime would never buy it. No one has cancer and no one is in an abusive relationship.
slowcurve
…yet
canocorn
Perhaps The Real Housewives of San Diego?
c ya
LMAO CHICKS DIG
c ya
True SlowC
c ya
THAT’S a good one too CanoCorn
imgman09
They covered Machado? He’s Cancer!
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
Why’s he cancer? Did he give it to? You weren’t protecting yourself, were you? Imgman — you gotta protect yourself, okay?
Wolverines2
Machado is cancer according to whom? I’ve heard stories about teammates not loving Harper. I’ve seen Harper fight a teammate in the dugout. I’ve seen Harper not leg out pop ups and ground balls and be benched for it. So why is Machado a cancer? What’s underneath this??
Robertowannabe
According to his birth date……He most certainly is a Cancer!!!!
Koamalu
July 6th is in Cancer. So now we know.
c ya
Well, I’m a cancer too, July 4th, and beat it also!
Amen
imgman09
If you played Sports you would know what that means,hmm? ….and it’s Cancer to a team not catching it,lol.I just know those Padre Players are going to be sick of Answering questions about him all year and when they are in 3rd or 4th place
Isthisserious
You deserve 40000 upvotes for summing up Lifetime movies, however, its certainly possible cancer or abuse will ensue after the ongoing articles on Harper (I’m thinking it’a just a rib on all of us at this point)
clepto
yet you didnt give 1 upvote. since you dont follow thru, I am giving you one downvote.
consistency, please.
Isthisserious
The second you’re consistent with punctuation and a mixture of spelling, I’ll consider being consistent. Considering this site can gl9tchy at times, there is a pretty good chance it didnt go through.
Again, don’t be a cuck, please.
itsmeheyhi
Machado IS cancer abd we’ve all been abused by this for far too long.
fasbal1
Hey..leave Russell out of this
macn307
hmmmff at this point no climax to this situation.
canocorn
Not without battery-assist
julyn82001
Wow all that money to be spent on a couple of players. Not exactly common W2 employees lol…
SFGiantsGallore
Harper to Phillies. 10yr/$350M
norcalblue
Harper to Giants, 10 yr/$330 M w/ two player friendly opt outs.
jbigz12
I don’t see the upside for the Giants to do that though. Harper gets an opt out after year 2 or something and you’ve just essentially wasted 65-80 million because he doesn’t put this team into contention. I mean if they wanna do it go right ahead but I’d have to have him locked in for at least 5 years if it’s going to make any sense.
antibelt
Giants 12/326. Basically 10/300, but tack on two more years so it’s the largest contract and so it hits salary less for luxury purposes.
Bert17
No way he wants a smaller AAV than Machado. 11/331 might be what it takes to sign him now. With the Pads and White Sox out of the way and Keuchel and Kimbrel seemingly waiting around to see if they can get the Phillies unspent money, I’d put a deadline on whatever offer The Phillies think it’s worth giving Harper and if he doesn’t take it, sign the other two for less than half before it’s too late to get them and have them ready for the start of the season.
thomps07
Why the hell would he sign with the giants? They are old and not any good. Plus that ball park is the hardest for a lefty to hit a homerun?
johnrealtime
@thomps07 Money, nearer his home, california, franchise prestige (I doubt that matters to him but it’s a factor to some I’m sure), out of the toxic media of other cities, ability to spend on other reinforcements in the future, the fact that most have counted the Giants out just before they won the championship each of 3 times in the last decade (I’m not saying the Giants are going to contend but I know better than to count them out).
I may be mistaken but I think Barry Bonds managed to hit a few home runs in that park. He’s a lefty. Hmm
jbigz12
Barry bonds is also the most famous (suspected) steroid user of all time. The point is the park suppresses LH power which is true. If Harper wants to break records SF is not the spot to do it.
scottn59c
I’ve been wondering that myself. All I can think of is that it’s closer to home and he like the city and has watched them beat the Nats in key playoff games since he came aboard as a rookie. But that was then and this is now.
retire21
Actually, he admitted use.
Lorenzo
Some guy named Barry, um, something or other had no problem hitting them out in San Frisco.
imgman09
From the beginning:He’ll be in a W Uni but it will stand for West,pretty close anti but I see 10/330 with At least 2 Player Options
TheMick
I seriously doubt the Giants will go anywhere close to 10 years for Harper. Even if they signed Harper they’re years away from contending. Their best players are beginning to enter their decline years or already have begun the decline. SF needs to rebuild.
nonadhominem
No, please, no!
ABStract
God I hope not!
Harper to Phillies please
Boo on u NorCal blue!
Keep NorCal…orange? U know what I’m going for 🙂
astromariner
I think 10yr/$330M is more likely. Beats Machado and Stanton’s deals.
PCOLA SOX FAN
IMO the White Sox were never in on Harper- they have many outfielders on the 40 and in the minors, Boras and Reinsdorf are not bedfellows and Harper is not the ballplayer that MM is
Big Hurt
I agree with everything except the last sentence, as I would have rather had Harper. A big lefty bat that gets on base at a huge clip? Definitely.
Having said that, I’d like to think the article is right and the Sox look at both Gonzalezes, Marwin and Gio.
Basebal101
I would not want either guy on my team but id forced to choose it would hands down be Machado. Harper had a WAR of 1.2 last year was just generously ranked the 41st best player in MLB. What foolish franchise pays 30+ Mil for an above avg player will be comical to see.
Marius
Machado plays a premium position and should be valued higher than Harper as they have somewhat similar batting stats. The thing with Bryce, though, is that nobody pitches to him because he is that damn good. He ranked 2nd in MLB with fewest pitches seen in the strike zone.
bjsguess
Yeah … that 1.2 bWAR is absurdly low. Fangraphs had him at 3.5 fWAR. And an offensive player that ranked in the top 50 of all offensive players is “above average” is a bit baffling. That places him squarely as the 1st or 2nd best offensive player on every team in baseball. And that’s after a crummy year (by his standards).
In 2017 he was the 24th best offensive player in baseball and he did that with under 500 PA’s. You normalize for 600PA’s and the guy is a top 10 player. A typical “bad” Bryce Harper year is probably something like 2016 when he was only worth 3fWAR. That’s still about $25M worth of value on the FA market.
He is absolutely worth $30M+ on an average rate basis. I’d take the over all day that he outperforms a 10/$330M deal.
nonadhominem
I disagree, and define “outperform”.
I’ll take the under, and bet he’s only a $30MM player one-third of the years in any contract he gets.
And sure, dismiss the bWAR because it doesn’t fit your narrative.
Look, you’re doing the same thing I do – and that is playing with the numbers to suit yourself. I say his 2015 season could be an outlier, because he hasn’t come close to that before or since. So I subtract it and he has an .860 OPS for his career.
So which is it?
You see – here’s what you’re missing: the very fact that we can get into this type of debate, and that you have to argue about normalizing numbers is an indication that he IS NOT worth the contract he’ll likely get – and that’s why I’d prefer the Phillies stay away.
jbigz12
I’m not sure id really want to pursue either Marwin or Gio if I were the Chisox. I’d just as soon wait for another offseason and put that money towards a real impact player. I don’t think the natural progression of your guys plus the small additions of Nova, Alonso and the bullpen guys is really going to vault this team forward right now. Arenado might be their next year though. Have to think you at least have a chance at him if he hits the open market.
DadsInDaniaBeach
Hey Jeff, why a tough road for Philly? Are you suggesting that Harper would sign for less money in SF than he would in Philly?
People keep writing that free agents don’t want to play in Philly…I have yet to see any free agent quoted saying that…
nonadhominem
If Harper signed for less money in SF than Philly he’d be a bigger fool than Middleton will be if the Phillies sign him.
I’ve covered this before, but CA taxes are considerably higher that they are in Philly/PA, and Harper/SFG face the same dilemna that Machado did:
SFG will have to pony up an AAV of almost 4.9MM more just to match the takehome Harper would have in Philly.
So what do Harper/Boras want: The biggest contract, or the most money in their pockets after taxes?
Regardless, I hope the Phillies withdraw from the Harper chase – IMO he will not be worth the money he gets paid.
Swinging Friars
The taxes don’t make a difference. Never once heard a player say they turned down a team because of taxes
If there were any truth to that nonsense the Rays & Marlins would be stacked!
El Kabong
These mega-contracts pay for themselves. That’s why owners ultimately pay them. Philadelphia or San Francisco (or, in Machado’s case, San Diego)? I love living in the Philly area. But at the end of the day, either SF or Southern Cal is a more desirable place to live. Right, LeBron?
Koamalu
The difference in tax burden between Philadelphia and San Francisco is less than 1%. If he gets $30 million AAV that is less than $30 thousand per year.
Swinging Friars
Not to mention these players get taxed in the states that they play… There are a lot of out=of=state games
Also, no one ever rejected a job because of taxes. No one. Not millionaires, not service class workers. And the service class gets taxed at 50%! Where is the outcry for them?? 50% of $40k hurts a lot more than an extra 1 or 2% in state taxes for a millionaire…
Only Fox news and rich a-holes believe that tax nonsense
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
Some quick googling showed me that Pennsylvania has a flat income tax rate of 3.07%. In California, the max tax rate (for which a Harper contract would easily qualify as it kicks in at $1M annually) is 13.3%.
An extra 10-ish percent on $30M is $3M per year, by my calculations. If I’m incorrect, please tell me.
nonadhominem
Koamalu, I’ve asked you in the past to back up that assertion eith data. You have declined.
I can only conclude that you’re making that up and that it’s BS.
Here’s your opportunity to prove me wrong.
The top tax rate in CA is 13.3%. The combined state and muni tax rate in Philly is 6.57%.
Please demonstrate how that is less than 1%?
nonadhominem
Hubcap, you have to add in Philly’s wage tax of 3.5%.
I did an analysis a couple of threads ago about how Machado on the Pads will pay about $1.45MM more in taxes in SD than Philly on an AAV of 30MM.
That was based just on the games played in the home state.
I posted the tax rates and the math, and in a secondary post showed that the difference in real estate taxes are negligible for properties of the same value.
Koamalu did the same less than 1% post then, also with no backup.
In short, he’s making it up.
MarlinsFanBase
Indicating that the Phillies may have to pay more than the Giants isn’t so much as it would be Harper not wanting to play in Philly, but more that he lives closer to the west coast, and would be more inclined to sign there with a sort of “hometown discount”.
nonadhominem
I hope Harper signs with the Giants.
Basebal101
As a Dodger’s fan so do I. Nothing better then your arch rival being handcuffed by a ridiculous contract to a slightly above avg player
Roll
So what your saying is a player should go on record and say i am not going to sign with x team. Especially when x team is currently offering the most money and driving up what you get for y team which is where you want to go (ala what Kirk Cousins did to the Jets and Vikings). Great marketting strategy.
Only player i have heard officially said they will not sign with a team is Matt Harvey and the Mets.
Meow Meow
The “tough road” comment isn’t Jeff’s, it’s from the article he’s referencing.
Jeff Todd
I don’t know exactly what it is supposed to mean … just quoted the report.
DadsInDaniaBeach
Thanks Jeff
VonPurpleHayes
It’s all just rumors. Plenty of free agents love to play in Philly and a guy who played in Washington his entire career would have no problem adjusting to Philly.
Harper’s only preference is going to be the highest offer. Anyone who thinks otherwise is falling for all the smokescreen nonsense.
scottn59c
I think that money matters to Harper, but he’s gone on record more than once expressing his misgivings about the city. I’m sure he’d go if he had no competing offers, but he has some choices. He may end up there, but I think he and Boras want to see if SF is willing to keep upping their offer.
VonPurpleHayes
Where did he ever say that? Reporters have implied it. I never saw a Harper quote once.
gibbs58
I saw a Harper/Philly quote.
“I just feel really good here,” said Harper, who has 12 career home runs at CBP, more than he’s hit in any ballpark other than Nationals Park. “Ever since I came up in 2012, I felt great. It’s a fun place to play, a fun ballpark to play in.”
Oh, you meant a Harper anti-Philly quote. Sorry.
Damian J Zajac
I assure you no Phillies fan has heard anything even remotely close from Harper regarding Philly. You are just another sad sap amongst many who are drinking the “Boras Kool-Aid” Its only sports propaganda perpurtrated by the Harper camp, all in the interest of driving up the final #. If you really think that doesn’t happen. then please by all means, help yourself to another Kool-Aid.
gibbs58
Awww, sad that the one quote someone actually produced (from a Ryan Lawrence article) was a positive one? That’s okay. I didn’t tell you that you couldn’t keep drinking your own Kool-Aid. Thing is, I agree. This anti-Philly narrative is to just drive up the final price.
CursedRangers
Money matters to Boras as well. Multiple articles have quoted that Boras wants to break records with the Harper contract. Still shake my head that the Boras Corporation makes $105M+ annually. Crazy insane amount of money he is pulling down. Net worth of $400M…
sufferforsnakes
I’m guessing the Indians are out of the running?
indiansfan44
Unless they are a “mystery team” and have done their best to completely down play their interest and stay off the radar for 3+ months.
PhanaticDuck26
Harper to CLE? They’d have to sit either Guyer, Naquin, or Martin to make room for him. Who in their right mind would do such a thing?
sufferforsnakes
Well, Guyer is gone, so now there’s room for him.
refereemn77
CLE has spent all offseason cutting payroll. Can’t see them being in on Harper at all.
McCovey44
Go Get Em Giants✌10/325m
Basebal101
I would not want either guy on my team but id forced to choose it would hands down be Machado. Harper had a WAR of 1.2 last year was just generously ranked the 41st best player in MLB. What foolish franchise pays 30+ Mil for an above avg player will be comical to see.
ejs203
If he wanted to go the Phillies he’d have signed already. Gut says the Giants get this done..
mike156
I’m still thinking Nationals or mystery team. Watch for Heyman to start putting out signals that competition is fierce
Mrivers
Nats have moved on. Giants or mystery team.
Jeff Todd
As if on cue!
Central Valley
The Giants are obviously planning on putting trash cans in their outfield this year. Seriously though, it sounds like Harper wants to go to SF. Just a matter of how much SF wants him and is willing to spend.
Ownership has been rewarded handsomely by the SF fans. It’s also been too long since SF has had a all star, mvp caliber player in their outfield.
Come on SF! Give the fans something exciting to look forward to as they “retool” .
Basebal101
Well MVP could be rational on a team with as little talent as the Giant’s. In the big picture Harper is no where near mvp talent. 1.2 WAR in 2018. Ranked 41st in all of baseball in most recent poll. Not true MVP numbers.
SFGiants74
I haven’t heard anything about them shortening the fences. Where did you hear that.
imgman09
Hate him or like him,Harper sells Tickets, add 26 years of age and you have a Business Decision.Yes Vince I’ve heard the same rumors too they have plans to shorten the Fences,When?
SFGiants74
I have never heard of them moving the fences in. I assumed that garbage cans in the new Giants outfield is euphemism for moving the fences in. When did you hear that.
stretch123
Harper is going to sign for 11 years and 330 million with a vesting 12th year option with the Giants. With two opt outs. You heard it here first.
c1234
I have a feeling he just doesn’t want to play for philly.
MarlinsFanBase
I think he’s just trying to see how much he can get out of a west coast team. I don’t think it’s an issue with Philly. It’s just a western part of the U.S. thing.
Mrivers
Has acted reluctant to Phils. His top choices were Dodgers and Yankees.
DadsInDaniaBeach
Exactly how has he acted reluctantly to the Phils?
scottn59c
See this article from Bleacher Report (“Bryce Harper Unsure About Signing With Phillies”):
bleacherreport.com/articles/2821499-bryce-harper-r…
DadsInDaniaBeach
Sherman again and Andy Martino…No NY bias there, huh?
Keep in mind, in that link, it says R U M O R S
bbatardo
I’d still be super surprised if Harper doesn’t end up in Philly. Feels like Boras is just working to get Harper highest contract ever.
petfoodfella
With Machado getting 10/300, it won’t take much work to get Bryce more than $325. He was always going to get more than Machado.
I’m beginning to think he simply doesn’t want to play for Philly.
VonPurpleHayes
He could already have his mind made up. He’s not going to steal Machado’s thunder. He will wait until the weekend to agree.
I see no proof that he doesn’t want to play for Philly. None at all. It’s all just a smokescreen to get some last minute offers..
Now can San Fran outbid Philly? Absolutely. If Philly is set on 310 and San Fran swoops in with 330, Harper is going to San Fran. I say we find out by Monday.
DadsInDaniaBeach
See, that makes more sense..also, I agree that we’ll know by Monday
nonadhominem
Except that on an after tax basis, 310 in Philly is worth more than 330 in San Fran, assuming the same structure of contract.
McCovey44
Go Go getem Giants. 10y/325m
azmacky
With SD making a big splash maybe LAD won’t sit back and now maybe do something with Harper. Obviously $$$ is not the object. You never know.
MarlinsFanBase
That is certainly the team that Harper seems to want to play with.
There is the other thing that is beyond the Padres thing. Would the Dodgers really let Harper go to the Giants?
jbigz12
I don’t think LAD is concerned with SF right now. By the time their window opens back up the Dodgers will have a shot at other big time FA’s. I don’t think SF’s interest makes a Dodgers strike any more likely at all.
norcalblue
Totally agree with you jbigz. I suspect it is ownership that is now pressuring Zaidi to make this happen (fan pressure has now been unleashed). After watching and listening to Zaidi for the past few years, it seems highly unlikely that he would see wisdom in sinking this kind of dough into one player; particularly when it is on top of all the other bad/dead contracts the Giants are saddled with.
Zaidi knows that the Giants have a huge rebuild on their hands and he needs financial resources and flexibility to implement that rebuild. I’ll bet this is all a nightmare for Zaidi.
jbigz12
I look at 2021 when the Giants could optimistically expect to be back up to being a playoff contender at the earliest. They’ll still owe 91 million dollars to Posey, Crawford, Longo, and Cueto that year. That sucks. The good news is that they’ll be able to spend 220+ mil per year by that time. That’s the first year when the payroll won’t really be killing them and if Zaidi does it right he could have some interesting prospects/young ML guys by then.
Koamalu
How many 26 year old that were in top 40 players of all time through age 25 have you seen come on the free agent market?
Basebal101
Why wouldn’t they? The Dodger’s have 2 OFrs better then Harper already, and I’d bet 3 by the end of year. I assure you the Dodgers are begging the Giants to sign him to an expensive crippling contract, but I tbink Zaidi learned better in LA and it never happens.
Swinging Friars
Dodgers make a lot of sense for Harper. If he’s the most marketable player, as people are suggesting, then L.A. should be a match made in heaven. Besides the fact that they traded away their starting RF’er recently
Basebal101
Friars. No disrespect meant, but you could not be more incorrect in everything you said regarding the Dodger’s there. I tend to stay away from posting about the other 31 teams that I don’t follow for the same reasons.
Swinging Friars
So they didn’t trade Puig? Or LA isn’t a big market team that knows how to maximize marketing dollars?
No disrespect, but at least I added some substance to the discussion. What are you doing here?
stymeedone
They traded Puig, as they had a glut of OFs. They know how to maximize marketing dollars. Buying King Kong for record dollars is the opposite of that. Signing tiny tim on an under the radar contract is maximizing. (Muncy, Taylor) SF has nothing but a rebuild and empty seats in their future. King Kong might be their only option to prevent that.
Swinging Friars
So when will we start seeing commercials starring Muncy, Taylor? Are they selling out uniforms? Doubt those two are bringing in any money for LA
You want to argue, fine. At least stay on topic and pretend know what you are talking about!
Harper starts selling Dodgers jerseys in all 50 states the minute he’s announced as a Dodger. The amount of money they can make off of Harper is huge. Far more than $30m a year. To not acknowledge that is just being a blind homer who hates Harper
brave from the woods
Here’s your funny for the day… All the Braves brass recent comments were all smoke & mirrors & they emerge as the totally silent mystery team to shock everyone…
chippahawk
They owe it to their loyal fans.
Pax vobiscum
I somehow think Cashman will ink him for the Yankees.
Guest617
even without bryce the philly’s had a nice offseason
Koamalu
They have. They added Segura, Realmuto, Robertson, and a 32 year old McCutchen. Probably 6 wins better than the guys they replaced.
Basebal101
Not a Phils fan but totally agree. Most improved team imo and they we’re already good.
kodiak920
Given the Boras/Lerner relationship, kind of surprised that Washington appears to be only on the periphery.
Koamalu
I think that after Lerner gave him a 10/300 offer in September and then upped in the offseason, that Boras knows what he needs other teams to beat to sign Harper. We have heard nothing that the Nationals are out on Harper, so that means their offer that is more than 10/300 still stands. No sense in bidding against themselves.
Deke
I’m confused. Reporting suggests that SF are not interested in a long term deal. Conversely rumors state that Harper is not interested in a short term deal with a high AAV. If these rumors are true SF should be out. Also SF met with Harper, there’s NO WAY they didn’t ask him directly “would you consider a short term deal?” They would be idiots not to ask this question. Therefore both these rumors cannot be true.
MarlinsFanBase
If Harper wants to play closer to home in the western U.S., sometimes guys make exceptions for certain teams. None of us know anything about what may be going on other than knowing that Harper is located in the western U.S,., so he’d probably favor a team out there.
Do you think if the Marlins, Rays, or Braves were in a situation to or want to spend money, that Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado would be in San Diego? They’d give any of those 3 teams discounts.
Jean Matrac
Deke, you’re missing the nuance. At one point, SF was hoping to sign Harper to a shorter length contract. But things change, minds get changed, and what someone said at one point is not written in stone forever from that point on. Certainly the Giants did discuss a shorter term/higher AAV contract with Harper. And as reported Harper is on record in not being interested in that type of contract. But if SF is still in on Harper, they have obviously reassessed what their offer should be to have any chance of signing him.
Deke
@MarlinsFanBase – I see what you’re saying but I really don’t see Harper giving a discount to anyone. Players like guaranteed money because you never know when injury is going to hit and end your career. But yeah what you’re saying is plausible, I just can’t see it.
@tad2b13 – You make a fair point but I haven’t seen anyone say that SF has moved from a short term option to a long term option. Even this updated article still mentions only the short term option for SF. It just seem plausible that SF would be silly enough to only be open to only be offering this if Harper isn’t interested and I have to think they have asked him what he would consider.
* Caveat – it could be that Harper is keeping SF’s name in the mix just to hope that the other team/s keep bidding up?
Chicks Dig the Longball
So how long until Harper signs with the White Sox?
MarlinsFanBase
When Lucifer makes a call to Heaven Customer Service to complain about the blizzard that just hit his kingdom.
Bryzzo2016
Hahaha, right after Machado does. There’s a reason the White Sox haven’t signed a premium MLB free agent in their prime since Albert Belle(over 25 years ago) . It’s not a coincidence, nobody want to play for that Bush league organization. BUT if Bryce Harper has some friends/family that are awful, fringe major leaguers, I can see White Sox signing them. Haha
VonPurpleHayes
Bryzzo, clearly you’re a bias Cubs fan. Hate to break it to you, but players don’t have any kind of team allegiance or loyalty. This is a job to them. They’ll play for whoever gives them the most money. White Sox included.
And bush league? The White Sox have as many WS titles as the Cubs. So let’s not go crazy.
Bryzzo2016
Ummm, read the comments. Even your fellow Sox fans are calling them bush league, I believe ChiSoxCity said softball teams were run better than the Sox. I get it that you’re a delusional homer, but sensible Sox fans are fed up. Do you not listen to the Score? Am1000? Read local media? Talk to other fans? Face it, just like the Bulls, the Sox are gonna remain an irrelevant joke as long JR remains cluelessly loyal to his inept front offices. I’m a diehard Bulls fan, trust me, I get the frustration.
Chicks Dig the Longball
Please keep your insecurity off of my thread, Bryzzo
fisk72
The Sox were at the Mercedes dealer for a long time but just couldn’t pull the trigger on the S550. So now they’re at the CarMax lot looking for a used LeBaron. Thus are the ChiSox.
canocorn
Why waste $$ on a high-end car for temporary use when your pre-orders with Rolls and Bentley will be delivered this year, and your orders with Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari will be finished in a year or two?
Goose
If the Giants think they can compete then I see them edging out the Phillies. If they Phillies get him then they are probably one quality starting pitcher away from being a strong contender.
hozie007
So who is the better player-value…Machado or Harper? Certainly team needs dictate but if Machado (WAR 5.7) goes for 10 yr $300M….is Harper (WAR 1.3) worth more or less? I say less.
MarlinsFanBase
If WAR is what is determining what to spend, I think a GM should be fired on the spot. I wonder how many guys have a higher WAR than Harper that in no way, shape or form would even earn a $100 million or even $75 million contract.
nonadhominem
True, but Harper shouldn’t be a guy getting a $300MM contract either. It’s 50% hype.
Yes, he has “potential”, but he’s only lived up to it in one season. The rest of the time he’s either been injured or his performance is all over the place.
I think any team that signs him to the type of deal he wants is making a big mistake.
I pray Middleton isn’t that stupid.
Rex Block
“The spending will be kind of stupid.”
–Middleton
petfoodfella
While I dislike Bryce, and hope he find a home outside of the NL East (unless it’s w/ Atlanta), I think he’s the smarter investment – marketing wise, ticket wise, and so on.
He’s one of if not the face of baseball.
Cat Mando
Rex Block……
“We’re going into this expecting to spend money, and maybe even be a little bit stupid about it. We just prefer not to be completely stupid.”
That is the actual quote from John Middleton
Rex Block
Thanks Cat!
macstruts
Who is the bigger jerk? Who would you rather have the face of your franchise?
To the first question, Machado. To the second Harper.
MarlinsFanBase
Here’s an interesting question.
What makes more sense for a franchise?
Trading prospects and paying contracts to acquire any one of the Marlins previous OFs (Stanton, Yelich, or Ozuna)?
or
Committing 10 years and $300+ million to either Machado or Harper?
Bryzzo2016
Ummmm, Stanton cost more than Machado AND cost prospect equity as well. Machado was worth what SD paid ESPECIALLY to team with no bankable stars. For a franchise with no rings, only 5 playoff appearances in their history and easily the best farm system in the game, I applaud them for locking up a 26 year old superstar player.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
Macstruts — you really HATE Machado, don’t you? Let it out. Do your shadow work and projection realization right here and right now. I will guide you through the process. It will be tough work but I think we can get some healing done after a few months.
Swinging Friars
Let’s see, I think I can get to the bottom of this fairly quickly mac… One is brown and one is white. No need to circle which one you hate and which one you love. We get it
El Kabong
As a Dodger fan, I sincerely applaud the Padres for signing Machado. Adding a legit superstar to a rising young nucleus is a good thing. Padres pitching prospects still a couple years away, but that’s okay as this is a 10-year deal. The Dodgers-Padres rivalry is about to get real. I welcome this, just as I would welcome the Giants reeling in Bryce Harper. At the end of the day, these moves will be good for the game I love.
Swinging Friars
Good for the game and great for us fans. Love it when the Dodgers come to town, especially if there is some hope for a Padres win!
El Kabong
I live in the Philly area and now see both stadiums as a summer vacation destination. Who wouldn’t want to spend time in San Diego? Pressure will no be on the Rockies to lock up Arenado. Makeup of the division is changing fast.
CursedRangers
Agreed that it’s good for the game. I still will be surprised if the Padres are a .500 team next year. Probably pulled the trigger a few years too early (in my opinion).
fasbal1
Is Bud Norris included in this question
Basebal101
Maxstruts….tough and debatable question. Consensus around baseball is Harper is a club house cancer, but we all saw Machado’s antics in the playoffs. Not sure as a fan, we can really label who’s the bigger jerk can we?
hook316
Tigers!! They could go as high as 1M for one year.
sufferforsnakes
SELL MORE PIZZAS!!
macstruts
Is Mike Trout the only person who wants to play for the Phillies.
I can’t believe they got Aaron Nola to sign.
MarlinsFanBase
We’ll see where Mike Trout will play in a couple of years. Considering the teams that will be involved, I think I’d bet my money on it not being Philly, and most likely him lining up in CF between Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.
macstruts
The Angels are going to offer him HUGE money. I don’t think it’s going to be about the money.
But I don’t know. Unlike Machado, I haven’t heard anything about Trout.
astromariner
2 years ago everyone said Harper would be in pinstripes in 2 years.
its_happening
Boston
El Kabong
Dodgers are priming themselves to offer Trout a boatload of money as well. He will not sign when the Phillies just because he grew up in New Jersey.
jbigz12
He’s a huge eagles fan and he might prefer to come home. If the dollars are close everywhere there’s no reason to say that’s not a probable scenario.
Jose R
I mentioned that yesterday that the dodgers are gonna make a real run at Trout
Swinging Friars
Arte hasn’t exactly been cheap with the wallet…
I don’t a scenario where Trout reaches free agency before his age 36 season. There isn’t much to hate about Orange County. The traffic stinks and the women there look like barbie dolls… But I doubt he drives himself much
Cat Mando
Jimsouls…….”Dodgers are priming themselves to offer Trout a boatload of money as well.”
Can you point to one bit of evidence, one statement, anything at all to back that up?
El Kabong
Cat Mando, Have you paid attention to the Dodgers off-season moves that will put (and keep ) them below the luxury tax level? There is obviously no statement as that would tampering. Trout has been in the L.A. area his entire major league career. The Dodgers are a good team. The Angels are a lousy one. Since the Angels won’t outbid the Dodgers, why would Trout not choose the better team if he wants to stay in the area?
El Kabong
Joe R, The Angels will still be trotting out Pujols after Trout leaves to play somewhere else.
Cat Mando
Yep, I have paid attention. I also paid attention when many said they stayed below the CBT line so they could sign Harper or Machado or….or….or……..
Since we are 2 years away from Trout’s FA who is to say who will be the best team come the end of 2020. It’s baseball and baseball is always in flux.
Trout has said “I love it in Anaheim. I can’t say enough about this organization, I was brought up here and we’ll see what happens.” but he has also said “Obviously I have a couple more years on my contract, Growing up as a kid, you always want to play for your team”.
No one knows but, but if you read things about him ( nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2014/05/in_mike_trouts… ) and understand where and how he grew up (I grew up in the same area…was born in the same hospital years before him) you will understand why so many fans think he will head back East.
nonadhominem
Nola is now set for life. That’s why he signed.
PhanaticDuck26
@mac, well, when the Phils were World Series contenders Roy Halladay waived his NTC to come and Cliff Lee chose Philly over NY as a FA. When the team is ready to win and win big, the players will come. Oh, yeah, and there’s the whole we’ll-give-you-more-than-Stanton thing working in the Phils’ favor.
old dodger fan
If someone (Dodgers?) offered him 4/$150 with an opt out after 2 years, who thinks he would take it? I don’t but I’d love to see him in LA for 2 or 4 years.
klarmore11
“Instead, though”: two words that are saying the same thing.
“At least, that is”: ditto.
Moneyballer
Im just gonna go out and say the truth (downvotes expected) when all things are equal $$ the white sox are not a desirable franchise to play for!
canocorn
You could say that about any MLB franchise, depending on one’s priorities, biases, tolerances and dislikes.
lowtalker1
Lol
Bryce might get less then manny.
Giants don’t have much flexibility with money and the phillies
Central Valley
The Giants ownership is going to have hell to pay after teasing fans with getting Harper. Plus, Posey etc all publicly said they wanted Harper.
The fans would be beyond excited and motivated to go to their paid off ballpark if Harper is signed.
Harper would bring excitement to SF and is something to build their future around. He’s only 26!
Pax vobiscum
Dude or dudess, you should be a professional cheerleader.
Cat Mando
Central Valley…………..
As a Phillies fan I hope he does sign with the Giants
He has been called out or benched for playing lazy by every manager he has played for including Martinez last July He “can’t go 10 days without failing to run out a groundball or overthrowing a cutoff man by 15 feet or throwing to the wrong base or being caught unprepared in the outfield or on the bases”
He’s only 26 and acts 16
nonadhominem
Cat, I don’t worry so much about the hustle issues. I worry that he’s just not that good and has no chance of living up to the contract.
Except for one great year his performance has been all over the place.
With the performance variance, any team that signs him has no idea what they’re getting, and that’s not the type of player to whom you commit $300+MM.
Cat Mando
nonadhominem………
I agree with that too. I also think he is cancerous to a team. His tantrums are well documented as is his lack of hustle and focus.
Philly fans will eat him alive if he signs for $300m+ and has another first half like last year and I don’t think he has the character to withstand that.
But he sure does walk a lot /s
Swinging Friars
That’s funny…. Machado makes one comment and this board is all over him for being lazy. You guys point out that Harper gets benched yearly for lack of hustle and no one says the guy is lazy?!? Hmmmmmm
Cat Mando
Swinging Friars……..
I have always preferred Manny over Harper. Manny made his comment but Harper has had a long history of being lazy to first. The first time I brought it up on these boards a certain Yankee Harper fanatic said it was a lie even after I provided links for articles of each manager calling him out or benching him.
Some here say Manny is a clubhouse cancer despite lack of evidence. to the contrary some of his former teammates have come out in his defense with all of the statement being after this past post season.
When the news broke that he Manny struck a deal with the Padres I was almost sick to my stomach and couldn’t even comment. Not because I don’t like the Padres but because it ups the chances of Philly going all in for Harper.
Congrats to you guys for snagging the better choice.
Swinging Friars
well said,
The trolls sound louder in my head than the reasonable ones I guess… Or they are more memorable
I’m super stoked for Manny. I also feel that Franco is about to break out. Maybe Harper is the better fit over there in Philly? I agree with all you said… It might be best if they wait it out for another star outfielder to become available. -OR- start talking with the Padres about their surplus in the outfield. We would love to get De Los Santos back!
Cat Mando
Sorry…no take-backsies 😉
nonadhominem
Swinging Friars, I’m another Phillies fan who wanted Manny and who wants nothing to do with Harper.
I link Franco, think Franco may have turned a corner in the second half of last season, expect him to be better this year, and I still wanted Manny because he’s such a clear upgrade and much more consistent year to year than Harper.
I didn’t quite have the reaction that CAt did, but I was very disappointed.
Swinging Friars
Any hope left in Kingery? Machado would have made that Phillie team scary for sure!
Cat Mando
nonadhominem….Mark Grace used to do color commentary for the D-Backs (I live in AZ now and used to regularly watch them in the early to mid 2000’s) and he was like Kruk is in the Phillies booth. You never know what he will say.
Gracie once described how it felt to be completely fooled by a great called 3rd strike pitch like a 12-6 curve. I’ll paraphrase…. First you let out an “uggh”. That’s your brain telling you you just were made a fool of. Simultaneously you hear a loud slap. That’s not the ball hitting glove, that’s your butt cheeks slamming shut. This is followed by a loud “gurgle” from the pit of your gut and is joined by both knees giving out.
That is how I felt when the Manny deal was announced.
Swinging Friars
oh man you guys are lucky!
Trade you Mark Grant and that other guy Slappy…..for anything, anything at all
El Kabong
Swinging Friars, haven’t you heard? White players hustle while black and Latino players get by on natural ability. Longstanding racist views are alive and well. During his Mets days, I once saw Gary Carter hit a topper in front of the plate, get thrown out easily and head to the dugout before even reaching first base. Tim McCarver took him to task and Carter later apologized and no one ever accused Carter of being lazy. Darryl Strawberry? Mets fans called him lazy all the time. Kevin McReynolds also got a pass from Mets fans.
Dorothy_Mantooth
Friars – Cut out the racist accusations please? Both players have their warts, admit it. Let’s talk about Mookie Betts and how much money he’s going to make. He is a Top 3 MLB player and even a better person. He’s not lazy, he plays the game with integrity and gives 100% on every play and at bat. Same with Mike Trout. Those are the players who deserve top dollar because they are a coach’s, owner’s and most importantly fan’s idea of a true super star!
Swinging Friars
If the shoe fits…
All these guys dogging Manny give zero insight. It’s all blanketed hate. You added some substance but took an easy out. Surely there are more than 2 guys in the league that we can point to as good examples right? Screaming about Manny while giving Bryce a pass is very suspect. Calling Bryce marketable while calling Manny a bum, again is very suspect.
If you are triggered by a suggestion maybe the statement has served its purpose? Afterall you came back with an insightful comment and ditched the boring ignorant slur
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
I agree Swinging Friars — Some just think that racism died with ______ (fill in the blank). It can come out in all kinds of ways that a person doesn’t notice. It also doesn’t make you a bad person. You can be a wonderful husband/wife/father/mother and give to the community supporting a wide variety of causes. But when you go to a baseball game you might shake your head when a white player doesn’t run hard to first but claim a Latino (or African) player who does the same is lazy. This has been a common trope since the time of slavery (and US expansion into Mexico) as a way to dehumanize different races (Blacks called lazy as slaves and Mexicans lazy as farmhands). The trope didn’t die. It has simply become more subtle and watered down. Once again, saying these things doesn’t make you a bad person. It just means you have some work to do. It just means they need to maybe recognize that they are saying these things and correct themselves.
And Manny Machado may not be the BEST test case for this, but there have plenty of other Latino players who get called lazy for not running hard to first. I never hear it with white players. Never. The other trope with Machado is that he is a cancer. According to whom? I have never read of a teammate calling Machado a cancer or anything even close to synonymous to that epithet. So why are “fans” saying this?
leftcoaster
Praying to the Big Dodger in the Sky for Harper to sign a massive, long term, albatross contract with the Giants.
Balk
Wouldn’t that hurt the doyers if he signs with the Giants? A lot of money coming off the books in a couple years. And Harper is very young still while your players get old! Lol
sasafrass81
The Big Dodger in the Sky? I didn’t know Tommy Lasorda had past, my condolences. The Giants not only have contracts coming off the books over the next 3 seasons, they have payroll flexibility and proven they’re willing to spend. They also have a paid off stadium with loyal fans, especially season ticket holders and the new Mission Rock development will be a cash cow for them. However, I still don’t know if Harper is a fit with the team or worth what we’d have to spend because large contracts haven’t been that good to us and Zaidi was hired to create sustainable competitive baseball and this might be against his better judgement…but what do I know? I will still go to games at Oracle Park and spend my 401K on food and drinks while mortgaging my home to see what’s his name play LF where my seats are at lol
canocorn
… Big Trolley in the Sky …
angler
My thoughts –
* Philly is out of it and being used for leverage. He would have signed by now w/their stupid money.
* Giants while in it I have trouble thinking he will go there. I see him in more of a hitter friendly park.
* Nats are being stealthy and owner in direct contact w/team harper.
* NYY being stealthy too and not going there with $ and years leveraging his desire to play there. Stanton gets traded in next 12 months if he does.
* I would not be surprised if NYM swoop in on this – $350m/10 – takes out 2 NL East teams and continues with the theme for them of going for it.
Prediction: Nats $355/10..
Pax vobiscum
My thoughts are that your thoughts are without merit unless somehow the Wilpons recouped some coin from Madoff.
Rex Block
Agree with the first two points, but not the third. He’s not coming back to Washington, and definitely not at 355.
mark0817
Harper to Toronto 12/420 front loaded 2 opt out years at year 4 & 8
Pax vobiscum
420 Canadian?
its_happening
Would round out to just under $319 American.
Don’t see the Jays making an offer. Been saying since August they should be in on him to build up with Vlad. 9 years, $275 with a $25-mil option kicked in with a WS win within first 6 years or 3 playoff berths within first 5. Front load the contract by paying $105 the first 3 years ($35-mil per)
Will not happen.
Marius
Lol the Jays are two years away from being two years away. They don’t have the farm system that the Padres and White Sox do. Definitely don’t have the pitching prospects. Soon as Guerrero graduates to the majors, their farm system ranking is going to tumble to the mid teens range.
Bryzzo2016
This
nymetsking
Something verrry 420 about this one.
leprechaun
The White Sox are a joke up until yesterday I was a season ticket holder. I’m done 100% finished until Williams and crew are fired. Hopefully they just sell the team
leftcoaster
Let me get this straight. A long term White Sox fan is literally abandoning his team because they failed to sign Manny Machado to a 10 year contract. As if being tied to Manny freaking Machado for an albatross 10 year contract would’ve been a good thing. The only thing worse than a fan who quits on his team is an idiotic one abandoning his team.
Bryzzo2016
Well, Kenny and Hahn were visibly upset and made it very clear in no uncertain terms that they indeed wanted Machado. So, yeah, not signing him was definitely a bad thing. I love all the Sox fans NOW saying they didn’t want Manny, literally the same exact posters that were planning a parade when they thought they were gonna sign him. You clowns do realize that these sites don’t delete old comments, right? Hahaha
ASapsFables
I have to assume you are not a White Sox fan in making this comment.
Yet here you are admonishing a season ticker holder who is disgusted with his team, one that excited its fan base with the notion that were going to be big players this offseason for two superstar FA’s who fit their timeline of becoming relevant in the years to come while still in the final stages of their long overdue rebuild.
If the organization would have just kept their mouth shut and informed their fans that it would be another year or two before they would consider supplementing their future core with a final piece or two in free agency most of the faithful would have been on board with that logic. They did not. When reports began circulating that the front office was seriously courting these FA’s and that the market was surprisingly devoid of other suitors this further escalated the expectations of fans to the point that it appeared one of Manny Machado or Bryce Harper would become the face of the franchise moving forward.
For an outsider it is easy to dismiss the failure to land Machado and the apparent lack of desire to use those dollars to pursue Harper. But this is an ownership that has continued to operate their franchise as a middle market entity while their neighbors on the North Side of town have become one of the glamor teams in MLB. White Sox fans are tired of being second citizens in their own city and free agent bridesmaids in baseball. Losing out on Machado to the Padres and then throwing in the towel on Harper only serves to infuriate their fan base even further.
Bryzzo2016
The Sox, like the Bulls, will continue to be irrelevant as long as JR owns them. His blind loyalty to inept front offices has both franchises stuck, jokes of their respective sports. As a diehard Bulls fan, it infuriates me.
Yes, the Cubs clearly own that market, BUT that’s not an excuse. The Yankees own NY but the Mets still spend, still compete. If Chicago has another NBA team, the Bulls wouldn’t be the perennial cash cow that they are. Unfortunately for the Sox, the Cubs also play in that market essentially rendering the Sox a mid/small market team.
leftcoaster
Yes, I’m a White Sox “outsider” as I’m a 55 year Dodger fan. A fan who has sweated this winter out praying the Dodgers wouldn’t get locked into a crushing long term contract with either player. We’ve been there with Machado and imo after that experience I’m convinced anyone that would invest anything near 10/$300 mil with him should be fitted with a straight jacket and locked in a padded room. I guess that would include you. Furthermore, Harper and his .249 batting average is no franchise savior. Regardless of your thoughts about White Sox management, they apparently offered Machado a better package than the Padres. Despite their efforts, Machadough logically chose beautiful San Diego over Chicago. Seems Manny is smarter than I thought.
Swinging Friars
Machado was a very big reason the Dodgers went on a late season tare. And there is zero reporting suggesting Machado left money on the table
leftcoaster
Machado’s Dodger stats: .273 regular season, .176 NLDS, .296 NLCS and .182 World Series. Worth 10 years and $300 million? Nope
leftcoaster
Hahn himself commented that the White Sox offer was superior to the Padres offer.
Basebal101
Machado was a big reason?lol You didn’t watch 151 Dodger’s games like I did I assure you.
Left….. You are a knowledgable Dodger’s and baseball fan. We don’t want or need either of those 2. Pleasure reading your post.
leftcoaster
Thanks Baseball101. Great minds think alike.
ChiSoxCity
leprechaun, good for you. This organization can’t commit to anything, so they don’t deserve a loyal fanbase.
canocorn
lepre;
I’ll gladly take your tix.
scrapple22
Harper doesn’t have the stomach to play in Philly. He’s scared. If he doesn’t want to be here, we don’t want him. He’ll just make everyone miserable.
PhanaticDuck26
chill, dude, it’s called negotiating. Phils gave Boras a huge number early on and now Harper’s just shopping around while Boras tries to drum up a bidding war against PHI. Easy as that.
scrapple22
Either way, I just don’t think he fits the personality of this team. He could come in and mold is personality to the club house, but I don’t think he will. I just think the money will be better spent filling other needs. I think Alther and/or Williams could provide adequate production (and better defense) in RF.
raef715
i think he’d fit in fine….Williams and Altherr? come on man.
El Kabong
The ripple effect of Harper in the Phillies lineup would have a positive impact. Trust me. You want him. You don’t go with Althier of Williams because they provide better outfield defense.
Bryzzo2016
Hahaha, nobody’s scared of Philly fans. You think it makes you tough to boo Santa Clause? Don’t confuse classless, white trash behavior with being tough. I lived in Philly for 9 months(BTW, Pat’s is clearly better than Geno’s, I am curious how they ended up directly across the street from each other though). Anyway, in Chicago, we call that “studio tough”, meaning all bark… no bite.
Harper isn’t impressed or afraid of that nonsense. He may just not like Philly? He may wanna be on the west coast and be close to home. Who knows, but don’t create storylines that simply don’t exist.
Bryzzo2016
Oh and scrapple is DISGUSTING! You guys somehow invented a poor man’s spam.
Cat Mando
The Amish/Pennsylvania Dutch (i.e. Germans) brought Scrapple/Paanhaas to the US. It’s also similar to the Dutch dish Balkenbrij. i’ll eat it any day. When cooked right it’s delicious.
cpdpoet
The Santa Claus thing happened 50+ years ago…..get over it
Jimcarlo Slaton
Being a Cubs fan, you’ve got a lot of nerve talking about ‘white trash fans’, as you put it.
You easily fit the profile of a bleacher bum who has the reputation of harassing opposing teams’ fans..
Cashford64
Lol Philly fans booing him already
Damian J Zajac
Not so fast my Philly Brother. Question — Have u actually heard Bryce state he has no desire to play in Philly. The answer is an unequivocal “NO!!” What we have here is Boras propaganda all in an effort to drive up the #. Followed by a whole lotta “hearsay” being leaked by the Boras camp. If you’ve taken notice these leaks all start by “I have heard” or “A source has told me”. Until we here it from Bryce himself, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. Truthfully, Bryce playing at Citizens Bank could give him the type of #’s needed for Cooperstown. Picture these example #’s for Bryce — Batting Avg.– .318 Hits — 184 Hrs.– 52 RBI’s– 144. Bryce putting up these #’s at “The Bank” over the course of his contract will not only give him his Hall #’s but will also validate the ridiculous 10 yr ++ / 326 mill ++ contract from the Phillies. One last gift, courtesy of Bryce, will be the World Series titles Philly will have. Now maybe this is all just really far-fetched and maybe San Fran or one of these unidentified teams surface and they miraculously figure a way to offer him the contract he wants, or the Nationals, after playing possum come in at last minute with his desired contract. All of which lights a match to my my scenario, but with things being what they are right now, let’s go with my no so far-fetched scenario. Have faith my Philly Brother!!
neurogame
My ideal scenario is he goes back to the Dodgers and offers a short term deal, 6yrs/$250M, with player opt outs after years 3, 4 & 5. The opt outs are still in his prime and he gets to showcase how he does in the post season to possibly garner longer and lucrative contracts.
Having a regular outfielder for at least 3 years frees up a trade of both platooned Dodgers outfielders and outfield prospects to trade for Corey Kluber if he’s still available..
That would just about guarantee at least another LCS or even World Series appearance, at least on paper.
Basebal101
Dodgers have 2 OFrs better then Harper right now. Possibly 3 if Verdugo does what I think he will. Why pay a known clubhouse cancer 30+ mil when you have equal or better? OH yeah….jersey sales.
toddcruzos
“F- – – yeah”
Syndergaarden Cop
10/$320 with Phils
Syndergaarden Cop
10/$320 with Phils is my prediction
PhanaticDuck26
add ten more; he’ll beat Stanton I think.
raef715
still too low.
AllRiseForTheJudge
“Harper has recently rejected “multiple offers” of $300MM or more, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). All five teams listed below have been involved to some degree of late.”
Hmm, must be nice to be in a position to turn down $300 million dollars not just once, but apparently, multiple times.
Rex Block
Harper’s first offer was an extension in September, 10 years / 300 million. That’s one.
The second one was probably the Phils, 10 years / 300-something. 330 maybe. That’s two.
Ergo, “multiple offers of $300MM or more..”
nonadhominem
Probably correct. Heyman is just acting as Boras’ mouthpiece.
Scott: “John, I need a tweet from you that Bryce has turned down multiple 300+MM deals. Can you do that for me?”
John: “Izzat true, Scott?”
Scptt: “don’t worry about it. just get it out there and I’ll buy you lunch when I see you next.”
John: “OK, boss.”
Koamalu
Harper said no to 10/300 in September. Then Nationals upped the offer in November and he didn’t sign. Hence multiple offers of $300 MM or more.
Daver520
Hope everybody pulls back their offers and he has to sit the season out
Rex Block
Nats already did.
agentx
I like Marwin for the White Sox. Marwin definitely likes Machado for the bump over his projected earnings that Gonzalez is likely to receive now that Machado’s off the board.
its_happening
Agreed. It’s not a bad consolation considering Marwin’s versatility. If he hits he’s a really good acquisition.
canocorn
Marwin figures to improve whatever team he signs with.
Oxford Karma
Maybe he just wants to take a year off to travel. Bryce never got that year after high school experience!
basebaIl1600
I could see the Giants throwing stupid money at Harper simply to honor Bochy. Bochy said he really likes Harper, it’s Bochys last season and it wouldn’t surprise me for them to do it just to give Bochy a better overall record as tribute. Not to mention Harper would fill an OF slot for the next 10 years, something the giants would really like to have, certainty.
its_happening
They can move him to 1B after Belt and Posey leave/retire.
lowtalker1
They going to try their luck with him
Catching too?
Marius
What? To honor Bochy they are going to give him a $325 million dollar present? They have enough bad contracts, performers and prospects. They need to build from the ground up.
Swinging Friars
Except this wouldn’t be another bad contract. Even if he has an off year, the marketing department will turn his presence into many many millions of dollars. Each year they will make at least what they pay him off of marketing alone
El Kabong
These owners have all pushed buttons on their calculators. They understand how Harper will help line their pockets. And they can all afford it. If they can’t, they shouldn’t be in the baseball business.
nonadhominem
Yeah, just like the Phillies turned yhe Howard contract into marketing dollars and the Orioles will turn the Davis contract into marketing dollars.
Do you work for the Boras Corp or is it another agency?
Swinging Friars
I think if we could see what Howard meant in $$ to the phillies over the first 3/4’s of the contract you would see the point. Howard was very popular and there was a huge push to resign him. Think of the last couple of years as a loss leader. The team was rebuilding anyway, no harm no foul
Rex Block
There are plenty of reasons for the Giants to throw that kind of money at Harper, but sentiment for Bochy is not one of them.
basebaIl1600
And from what I’ve read, Harper prefers Sanfrancisco, but Philadephia has significantly outbid SF to the point where it’s probably going to force him to make his decision. I think Boras is waiting out to see if SF will up their offer to something long-term, rather than short-term, and if they don’t do that then Harper takes the money and goes to Philly.
bluemarc
That’s the stupid reporters saying he prefers,they always do that.
Yankeepatriot
Going from Harper to gonzalez/Harrison is any worthy for white Sox fans
Jose R
I think it’s gonna be the Nationals or Padres that end up locking Harper up
He’s a west coast guy and the Padres would be a great fit
With all the prospects the Padres have they can easily trade for Kluber or Bauer I would be more inclined to trade for Bauer and let him and Gore be that 1-2 punch down the line
It’s a great time to be a Padres fan the future looks bright
Tatis and Mackenzie are gonna be superstars
bbatardo
As exciting as the Padres would be signing both Harper and Machado.. no way they sign Harper unless some team magically says they will take Wil Myers and his entire contract to supplement it.
Jose R
I don’t think Wil Myers contract is holding them hostage
It’s probably the fact that they would tie up crazy money to 2 players but in the end I think they’ll end up signing him
Swinging Friars
Mark my words…. Myers is going to have a monster year. He’s healthy, he has a position (one that he requested), and he now has some credible bats around him. I’m going on record — 30/30 year for Myers! And —- Everyone here still hates him in 2020!!
Seriously though. Myers is not that bad and his $5.5 million this year says you nay-sayers are ridiculous
El Kabong
Swinging Friars, how do you see Tatis and Urias playing out this season? Some consider Tatis to be better than Guerrero due to his defensive skills. The other question will be how Mejia is eased in as the eventual starting catcher.
Swinging Friars
I think they both start in the minors this year
Tatis for service time and Urias for more seasoning.. I think that is why they went out and got Kinsler. Urias showed flashes last year but it was also clear that he wasn’t quite ready
I actually think they will bring in a 1 year placeholder for SS or 3rd, which ever spot Manny doesn’t occupy
Mejia is a tuff one…. He needs to play. But our young pitchers need Hedges. I think most likely they do a 60/40 split at catcher with Mejia relieving Myers at least once a week in LF and hopefully getting close to 40% of the days at catcher. I’m hoping they find a way to play him at least 4 days a week
El Kabong
A shortstop like Iglesias? He hasn’t landed the multi-year deal that he and Boras wanted. Establish that his decent 2018 offensive season was no fluke with a one-year deal, re-enter the free agent waters next winter or perhaps be moved at the trade deadline. This would give the Padres a veteran look all the way up the middle as they begin phasing in the kids.
The Hedges/Mejia scenario is similar to what the Dodgers will likely do with Ruiz and Smith, made possible by Smith’s ability to play 3B and maybe even 2B. Smith will probably hit Los Angeles first, but no reason the Dodgers can’t move forward keeping both. Such versatility is important in a modern game where teams are carrying 12 or 13 pitchers. Interesting how some are doing it with the catcher position. Players like Mejia and Smith are apparently athletic enough for this to happen.
Swinging Friars
I like the idea of Iglesias. Unless of course Manny wants to play ss. My guess is he gets to play where he wants for 2019
Also like the idea of trying to trade for someone’s leftovers at 3b. Hell, I’d even take a year of Frasier if the price was right! Whatever it takes to get us to 2020!!
basebaIl1600
The Padres don’t have that kind of spending flexibility. If they didn’t sign Hosmer, yes this would be possible. I think right now Philly is the highest bidder, but SF is what Harper would prefer, so he’s rejecting the 300M deals until he sees one from a west coast team (Giants, Dodgers, Angels). If either of those 3 offers him a long term deal worth around 300M, id imagine he’d jump on it in a heartbeat.
Swinging Friars
Hosmer is a big reason why Machado considered the Padres in the first place
You guys sound like broken records with all this Hosmer/Myers/Preller hate. 12 years of losing was bad. But these three are not the reason, they are going to be the ones that make up the next great Padre team
Swinging Friars
I still believe the Padres only became players because they were the only ones willing to go the full 10 years
Maybe the Giants learn from that situation and pounce
No way the Padres pull off both. Let’s be happy with Manny and call it a day!
123redsox
I hope teams start lowballing Harper and force him to accept a deal on their terms
El Kabong
Are you a fan of the owners keeping all the money the players bring into the game?
ASapsFables
If the White Sox are indeed “out” on Bryce Harper they are making a huge mistake. Why did they waste their time sending a delegation to woo him at his Las Vegas residence earlier this offseason? At the more recent SoxFest in late January I never once heard Rick Hahn dismiss Harper as a FA target despite Manny Machado being on the mind of most White Sox fans because of the rumor mill.
As for those vaunted White Sox OF prospects, who among them would offer the team a high OPS bat to pair with uber power hitting prospect Eloy Jimenez in their future batting order? In fact, I don’t see any White Sox prospect with that potential including “advanced” college bat catcher Zack Collins who they selected #1 back in June of 2016. Thus far Collins minor league career slash of .232/.379/.425 more resembles a bad Adam Dunn than anything Harper has achieved in his still young 7 year MLB career.
From my perspective, the White Sox prospects with the best chance of becoming future impact players all bat right-handed. They include LF Jimenez, CF Luis Robert, RF Micker Adolfo, 2B Nick Madrigal and 1B/3B Jake Burger. Two others who do bat left-handed, OF Blake Rutherford and 1B Gavin Sheets, have thus far failed to produce the necessary power to be effective middle of the order hitters hitters and provide protection for Jimenez in the #3 OR #4 slots of a projected White Sox batting order.
As I have repeatedly commented, Harper makes more sense for the White Sox than Machado from the perspective of their team on the field and as a marketing investment. Harper fills a lineup need with his high OBP/SLG bat which the team lacks system wide. From a defensive standpoint, Machado would have displaced one of Tim Anderson or Yoan Moncada at SS or 3B while Harper replaces Daniel Palka or Nicky Delmonico in RF. It’s easy to see who best fits the White Sox with that in mind.
As a lefty power bat, Harper would be the best FA batting order match with Jimenez not only this offseason but next when the top hitters who may be available also bat right-handed (Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt). The same scenario might apply the following winter when Mike Trout and Mookie Betts could become FA’s. Additionally, who knows what the competition will be for those FA talents? I’m guessing that more “glamor” teams will be involved than what occurred this past offseason with Machado and Harper. If the White Sox can’t beat the Padres offer for Machado what makes anyone think they might compete with the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers or Phillies when those other FA’s become available?
At the very least, the White Sox ought to offer Harper the same deal that Machado just rejected by also guaranteeing him those two additional vesting years at the same AAV of $31.25MM. This just might be enough to entice Harper with a deal that would guarantee him $312.5MM over 10 years with the potential to hit $350MM in performance incentives. It would also serve to placate most White Sox fans who are already miffed with the whiff on Machado.
If the White Sox come out of this offseason with neither FA superstar and also delay Jimenez’ anticipated MLB debut due to service time concerns they will be hard pressed to sell those annual discounted Ball Park passes in the cold months of April and May. Jerry Reinsdorf and the front office need to step up and do what they promised White Sox fans all winter or face more of their ire for yet another season.
bbatardo
Long post but I agree with what you are saying.. White Sox are in a similar boat as the Padres right now and I think they have a slight edge playing in AL Central. White Sox with Harper probably has higher chance of playoffs in 2019 than Padres with Machado, but both players are young enough to be the present and future stars of the team.
Bryzzo2016
Guys, he has to want to play there. Again, he’s not being traded, he is a free agent. Didn’t you guys just learn this w/ Machado? He chose a lower AAV to go to a smaller market for a team that was almost as bad as the White Sox. I mean, SD didn’t even sign his friends and family, he still chose them. Eloy looks like a great prospect, but so did Moncada… and Giolito, and Rodon and Tim Anderson and Fulmer, etc… There’s no good reason for Harper or Machado to believe in that “rebuild”. That front office doesn’t have the best reputation in drafting, developing or even SELF scouting. When they traded Tatis Jr for Shields, they claimed to be “ALL IN” then ended up finishing with a worse record than teams actively tanking that year.
If the fans and media know this, you don’t think the players and their reps know this? The Sox are in the same boat as the Bulls unfortunately. They are stuck due to JR’s loyalty to inept front offices. When GarPax, Kenny and Hahn are gone, it will be a rebirth for those two franchises. Why would Harper waste his best years there? Not trolling, just pointing out the obvious truths.
Swinging Friars
Machado did not take a discount
Rallyshirt
Can’t help thinking about the story side of deals like this. Nobody cares about agents and whether someone got a phone call this week or not. Writing a check and a player changing his hat is all that’s really happening. This is boring.
I want stories! Considering the White Sox deal for Machado, the story says we pay you this amount for no opt out “we don’t believe in them” plus performance incentives to ensure we’re getting the best Manny each year and cover the first-year move adjustment by bringing over players closest to him.
The entire package says to me, White Sox have designed it so Manny becomes a legend in baseball – not just setting a week long record for highest paid player by going somewhere else for a couple extra bucks.
What if we switch it to Harper, does the story get more interesting?
Now Harper comes to the White Sox after Manny clearly wimped out on his “customized” deal of a lifetime. Harper now has Sox teammates who are close friends with this mentally-feeble money chaser. Harper uses that as extra fuel each time he crushes a ball over the RF wall at The Guaranteed Rate. White Sox surprise, get to playoffs in 2019, 2020, ALCS 2021, 2022,++.
Machado makes early elimination playoffs once in 2022 and leaves SD on a renegotiated opt out.
The writers might like this?
Chicks Dig the Longball
I agree.
2B Madrigal
3B Moncada
LF Jimenez
RF Harper
1B Abreu
DH Burger/Sheets
C Collins
SS Anderson
CF Robert
That has the potential of a scary line up
Bryzzo2016
I would temper your expectations on “prospects” that haven’t proven themselves or even seen major league time.
Z-A 2
Yea I’m not sold on Moncada being anything special. Zero plate discipline.
Chicks Dig the Longball
Dude, if he has anything it is too much plate discipline.
ASapsFables
I have a better projected batting order assuming Abreu is extended or re-signed:
1-Robert CF
2-Madrigal 2B
3-Harper RF
4-Jimenez LF
5-Abreu DH/1B
6-Burger 1B/DH
7-Moncada 3B
8-Collins C/1B/DH
9-Anderson SS
I’m not sold on Collins as the future White Sox starting catcher. I believe the organization will draft a better college defensive C with their #3 overall pick this June. There are projected to be two available in the top-10. One should fall to the White Sox. If not, they will likely trade or sign a veteran. This would likely result in an adjustment to the lower part of my lineup.
Chicks Dig the Longball
I’m glad you restructured my 2022 batting order. That’s what really matters.
ASapsFables
Little of this matters without Harper or Abreu. That being said, I prefer Robert in the leadoff spot with his superior speed OBP and SB potential. I like Madrigal hitting #2 as the typical traditional grunt who makes contact and will have the plate patience to allow Robert a chance to steal a base and then move him along afterwards. I also prefer Harper’s elite OBP ability and better foot speed hitting in front of Jimenez, with the latter becoming the White Sox perennial cleanup hitter and best RBI option. Having two .900+ OPS batters hitting side by side preceded by two fast high OBP hitters is what will make this batting order truly scary. Retaining Abreu to complete the middle of the order power trio would be the cherry on top of the sundae.
Chicks Dig the Longball
The sarcasm.
Your head.
mattgarcia2324
Harper to the Yanks 1yr 35mil dont @ me
Jose R
He would just up his value for next year I could see Harper hitting 55 homeruns playing at Yankees stadium
dray16
Are the Cubs hiding in the weeds? The owner keeps stating they have no money, haven’t spent much this off season, new TV deal, they have the money. They are one of the more valuable and profitable franchises in MLB.
It wouldn’t shock me to see him in a Cubs uniform yet, Giants end up with Heyward maybe.
Bryzzo2016
No, the Cubs are not hiding in the weeds. Neither is LA or NY. Harper doesn’t present the same value to those teams as he does to teams without a bonafide superstar, or multiple superstars. For instance, Machado makes as much such off the field as he does on the field for SD. Ratings, attendance, merchandising etc… Machado would not provide the same value if he resigned with the Dodgers for instance. Cubs, Dodgers and Yankees all will have top 5 payrolls in the game, they all have multiple young, bankable stars, they are already legit contenders, thus a Harper or Machado addition will not provide anywhere near the overall value it would to a team like SD, the Phillies or the White Sox.
I think Harper is a great fit for the Phillies for multiple reasons, but does HE want to play there? We’ll see.
bluemarc
he won’t go to the giants they stink, last year Stanton didn’t want to go there either. but once you mention the giants all the reporters say he really wants come , there a bunch of homers.
Bryzzo2016
I don’t understand what the Giants are actually doing. They have some of the worst bloated contracts in baseball and Posey is way past his prime. They need to pick a lane, either go for it or tear it down. I just don’t know how they are gonna un load the likes of Cueto, Melancan, Samardjzia, Longoria, etc…. most teams have at least one or two bad contracts, but not several. Harper would just add another massive contract and realistically not close the gap on the Dodgers or really even the Rockies.
radhippo
Angels 10/335 with 2 op outs years 4&5
Jose R
I wish that would be a dream outfield
Upton Trout Harper
GarryHarris
I love Cole Calhoun’s defensive energy. He’s not a total loss when he’s not hitting well.
strat1956
Phillies Fan: I don’t want Harper!
Cat Mando
Neither do I!
DadsInDaniaBeach
looks like I’m odd man out..I want him in that outfield
Luke1358
I mean I wouldn’t be shocked if the Rockies were one of the mystery teams. He fills a hole on the club, makes a good replacement if they think Nolan isn’t going to sign an extension in their price range and 10-12 years for a 26 year old is a big more appealing to clubs than 10 years for a 29 year old….not to mention they could probably sign Harper and trade Nolan to the Yankees for Andujar and Frazer plus some other pieces. Personally I think Nolan is the far better ball player but the farm system is also loaded with infield talent right now…
Chicks Dig the Longball
Adding low contact high power guys in Colorado doesn’t make sense. Power is easy to come by in that altitude. They should sign more players like Daniel Murphy. His high contact profile will play so well in that atmosphere.
Luke1358
Despite everyone’s assumptions on how Colorado plays the biggest stat that translates to runs in the park is OBP. There hasn’t been an excessive number of HR hit in the park since the humidor and especially since the heightened wall in right center. There is a high number of XBH however do to Coors Field being the largest park in baseball. With more XBH the most important thing is simply having people on base more often which is a stat Harper is quite good at. Combine that with a plus defender with good range which is also important in the outfield in Denver and yes Harper would be a good fit for the Rockies. Again I’d rather keep Nolan but if that doesn’t play Harper would be a good fit.
Chicks Dig the Longball
Harper is an average defender, and your XBH example furthers my point.
Jose R
And one more thing to keep in mind
Big time players pay for them selfs as an Angels fan I saw it first hand with all the Jersey sells with the Pujols signing all the extra tickets sold and with Ohtani this past season all the extra fans that he brought in to the stadium
raef715
the money itself is almost irrelevant for Middleton and the Phils. it would just be the future luxury tax implications that are the concern.
VonPurpleHayes
I have a problem with Andy Martino’s recent reporting that the Phillies have a “tough road” and that Harper is “unsure” if he wants to play in Philly. Not once does Martino even mention a source. It’s just bad reporting.
I agree that SF and Philly are both still very much in it. But this is just the gossip mill at this point.
DadsInDaniaBeach
TY
bush1
There’s no way San Fran is actually in this. They’re a rebuilding team with a bad farm system. They make zero sense, and being used only to up the Phillies offer.
Damian J Zajac
I wouldn’t even sweat this because 1) SF said they were totally opposed to any long-term contract due to their present player contract situation now. However 2) even if they were to possibly consider offering a long-term contract to Harper, they are still capped by the total amount over say the 10 yrs Harper is seeking. Conclusion — if Harper is truly chasing “the benjamins” as Machado did (who dare sez they saw him signing w/ San Diego, winning the N.L.West is obviously not an absolute necessity for Machado)the Phillies really have sole control over how much money they want to push to the middle of the table, they can knock S.F. out of the equation with Middleton’s checkbook alone. Worst Phillie Fan Fear — they walk away from the table, conceding deal to S.F. even at that pt. Boras would go chasing & screaming after Middleton to please return!!
snotrocket
Sons of the Harpy(er)
mays2425
If the giants are still in it then they’ve definitely have had to up their offer over 300
ullnvrknw
Yankees didn’t make Machado a formal offer because they wanted Harper all along!!! Wait for it…..
imindless
If padres could get both machado and harper that might smart seeing as there prospects are going to be affordable for some time. If they could do mannys type deal with an opt out after 5 by that time you would hope that there prospects are ready
JayRyder
GIANTS !!!!!!!
srdiaz1972
Come on Arte open up the check book and bring Bryce to the Angels.
Bryzzo2016
It won’t happen, but I’d love to see Trout/Harper back to back in a lineup. Wouldn’t be enough to even sniff the Astros in that division, but as a fan it would be a fun team to watch.
raef715
Boras is so annoying, but so good at what he does…
floating every possible rumor out there just to get Middleton to bid against himself. im counting on Middleton blinking as he’s painted him and the front office into a corner at this point.
CursedRangers
He is a master at working the media. Can’t stand him, but I give him props for this.
timewalk42
Your Killing Me Smalls …..Sign already
SupremeZeus
Figure the minimum he will accept is 10/326 guaranteed money w/ no trade plus opt out then incentives. Deep waters. I only see the Phillies meeting that steep ask.
SargentDownvote
I agree about Philly… but who wants to play in Philly???
Harper is begging the Giants to hit that number.
bush1
Who wants to play for San Fran with they’re crummy talent? They’re going to be terrible for years and even have a bad farm system. Plus it’s a terrible hitters park with no lineup protection.
Robertowannabe
What if no one meets that steep ask? Will he sit out the season?
James1955
We have been hearing for 4 months that Machado and Harper are signing with the Phillies, because they are offering the most money.
timewalk42
Please Sign soon I have a fantasy draft next weekend
canocorn
Why would your fan-draft be scheduled so far in advance of opening day? Rosters could change considerably between this weekend and opening day.
It’s tough enough drafting prior to the opening games in Japan, as most teams won’t start their season until a week later.
It’s not too late for your commish to change the day and time of your draft.
teddyballgame 2
Waiting for the notification to pop up “Diamondbacks to sign Bryce Harper” just like it did when they signed Zack Greinke out of nowhere.
Knowthemarket
Alright, everyone can go home. I have the report on who is going to sign Bryce Harper.
The winner of the Harper sweepstakes is… The Atlanta Braves.
The contract is for 6 years. They will pay him in hair gel, volumizer and beard oil. Olney reported that the beard oil was a sticking point for the Braves as it was a little more than they wanted to pay but Bryce concieted his demands for Pantene products and agreed to Suave.
Knowthemarket
Look, I’m sure Braves fans are down voting me. It’s just a joke. I’m a Braves fan myself. Don’t need to get all indignant.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
You might have gotten downvoted because the joke wasn’t funny…
KCJ
I don’t understand. Maybe I’m just an idiot, but who are these “multiple” teams that have recently made the $300+ million dollar offers that Harper has turned down? All along we’ve been hearing that the Phillies, White Sox, Nationals, Giants, and Padres were the teams in on Harper. Well, the Phillies wouldn’t approach $300 mil for Machado, and neither would the White Sox, so I have a hard time seeing them exceeding it for Harper. The Padres are out after signing Machado, and the Nationals made their big offer of exactly $300 million months ago. So….that leaves the Giants and ????? Just another load of BS from Boras’ official mouthpiece, Jon Heyman
bush1
The Giants is made up by Harper’s camp. They’re bad and have a bad farm system, and a bad hitters park with no lineup protection. Makes no sense
DadsInDaniaBeach
I wonder if the agent and player discuss what it will be like hitting in either park…playing half his games in SF will cut his offense drastically…being the selfish guy I am, hitting in The Bank will bloat his numbers..
Thronson5
I have a feeling a team not mentioned will get him. The “mystery team” will strike a deal for Harper in the next 48 hours. I’m calling it now lol
dray16
If it’s Philly he would have signed already, that’s my thoughts. It wouldn’t shock me if it’s a team that isn’t one of the 5 listed above.
nonadhominem
I think 4 teams will throw in 90MM a piece and then they’ll have Harper drawn and quartered so they can each get a piece of him.
KCJ
I’m worried about Xabial
dust44
The White Sox blew it with Machado. The reported offer was 7/285. That’s technically more per year then the 10/300. Y wouldn’t they add 15 million more. At that point it’s really not much considering. They said they weren’t willing to go 10/300. This was literally there best change in years to get a super star guy. They needed Machado with the young guys coming up to have a real chance at competing. Now the White Sox don’t only get to c Machado but also Tatis Jr who they traded away together in San Diego. Rough man
Rallyshirt
Let’s not forget SD first signed that high contract on Shields, then paid 80% of it for a few seasons to field him for White Sox. While Tatis jr develops as touted minor league player.
I’m not sure how much money was involved entirely, but I wouldn’t say that was a bad deal.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
Hes not going to the giants. Just like Machado it would be at least 4 years of guaranteed losing. Fir haroer it would be 7 of 10 years of losing.
KCJ
Yeah, what he said
RBI
I think Harper signs for $330 million, over 10 years.
Vogt83
Who is Andy Martino????? Anyway… Andy Martino and , apparently, Eric Byrnes are the only people on earth who believe the Giants are offering a long term deal to Harper.
marooned in NE
If the Padres are really planning their move, they sign Harper, trade bodies for pitching and make their run at LA. The offense generated behind even average pitching in the WEST would at least lock in a playoff spot, if not take advantage of an aging Dodger franchise. The building from there is only up. .
Swinging Friars
If they are really planning their move?? Have you been living under a rock for the past two years?
Aging Dodger franchise? Really??
Who are you, rip van wrinkle???
El Kabong
Aging? Davey Lopes and Steve Garvey have left the building. The Dodgers are just getting started.
sfu13
Alright, just canceled my Sox season tickets. As soon as Reinsdork sells them and the Bulls to someone who gives a damn; I’ll be back. Should have topped out at $300M on Machado; shouldn’t have even bothered with Harper if you were going cheap. All I hear about is “but the prooooossspppeccccts.” Yeah, Collins, Fulmer, Burger are all busts, Madrigal has no power, and Rodon is injury prone. Not exactly a bright future. Wake up White Sox or you will be averaging 1,000 per game instead of 10,000. Been a fan since ’80 but not going to another game until an owner who wants to put a winning product on the field buys the club.
Rallyshirt
Fine, the Cubs need more fans now ever since… You know.
Bryzzo2016
Exactly! As a diehard Bulls fan, I can’t wait for JR to sell the team. His loyalty to inept clown front offices has rendered both the Sox and Bulls a joke, irrelevant. The problem is, unlike Guaranteed Rate Feild or whatever, the UC is still selling out.
sfu13
Bryzzo, it’s so sad to see what the Bulls have become after being spoiled in the 90’s. Just sad and dreadful. And I may be a Sox fan (grew up by Midway), but no ill will towards the Cubs. My Mom is a Cubs fan, and my Aunt passed from breast cancer in 2015 just as the Cubs were about to turn the corner. I also wish Quintana was better for you guys, maybe he will put it together this year. And at least your team hit on all your 1st rounders (still waiting for my team to hit on one during this tank mode, ha). Take care dude, good luck to the Cubs and we can weep about the Bulls and Blackhawks in unison. P.S. Guaranteed Rate field is the dumbest name for a ball park ever; rename it Summers Eve Freshness Park.
Bryzzo2016
Sorry to hear about your Aunt. F*** Cancer. My best friend is a Sox fan, I have no ill will towards the Sox or their fans, BUT I don’t hesitate to pounce on the Sox trolls that comment their infantile garbage on anything Cubs related, but I do not paint all Sox fans with the same brush.
Yes, the Bulls are dismal, but I always tell myself “At least they aren’t the Knicks”. Anyway, good luck with your prospects. I know you guys haven’t hit on a stud 1st rounder recently, but you’ll have another chance this summer.
sfu13
Thank you buddy, appreciate it! And yes, trolls annoy me too. At least we got to see 6 Bulls titles, the Knicks didn’t even get that so you’re right. There ARE bigger dumpster fires. Regarding the Sox, I hope they draft that Oregon State catcher this year, dude looks legit (unlike Collins).
Foreveryankees
Harper is not worth more than Machado!
AndyMeyer
Agreed
Jimcarlo Slaton
If only there was better free agent starting pitching, I wonder if the Phillies would be saying, let’s move on from Harper now.
philliephan1
Keep your eyes on the Rays and Marlins. LOL
SoCalBrave
I guess technically 2 offers count as multiple offers
lowtalker1
Padres had an offer they retracted
fasbal1
I’m not a Padres fan but would like to see them sign Harper…that would be an interesting team to watch with 3 giant contracts and arguably the best farm system in baseball
El Kabong
A team I’d happily pay to see. Harper, Machado, Tatis. Yikes!
Swinging Friars
What a dream….
Can you imagine what Preller would do with all those chips?? If we sign free agents to plug holes that leaves a lot of talent with no where to play. That could be fun to watch!
tbone0816
Cardinals are going to surprise people they are bluffing!!
tigertom0210
Good move, White Sox. By the time you’re contending, Bryce will be on the decline.
ChiSoxCity
Good move? Being a tigers fan, I don’t expect you to understand the history of the White Sox. Regardless of how you feel about Machado, you cannot look at his stats and tell me he’s not an elite hitter and 3B with a straight face. You also can’t tell me the Sox didn’t fail to sign yet another elite free agent due to a frugal owner who can’t deliver for the fans. $300M is market value. Over 10 yrs, that’s $35M annually. The Sox can afford to spend $70M more annually on the roster. So what’s with the lowball offer? And why lead your thin fanbase own when you were never really serious with a below market contract offer? It wouldn’t be a big deal if this were an isolated incident. The the White Sox do this every offseason. I now understand why this team is hated so much. There are softball teams run better than the White Sox.
ChiSoxCity
*Sorry, meant $30M annually.
Bryzzo2016
The best defensive 3B in baseball behind Arrenado and a STUD bat. Only age 26, he’s an absolute stud.
yamsi1912
Harper to the dodgers.
Bryzzo2016
That was my pick at the beginning of Winter, but I don’t see it now. Again, Harper doesn’t provide the same value to contending large market teams that already have marketable stars like the Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees. However, Machado and Harper provide great value to small/ mid market teams with no bankable star talent like SD, the White Sox, Phillies, etc… those teams have no young “stars” to fill the seats, build around, hike up ratings, sponsors, merch, etc… I think he goes to Philly IF that’s a place he wants to play.
Jess. Vapenik
Harper to the giants for 310 over 8 years. Just reported
brian214
This just in… You’re a tool
canocorn
Specifically, a chisel.
bravesfan
As a braves fan, I am tired of Harper… go to the AL or West. Get as far away as possible. You have haunted us too long. Either join us for a fraction of the cost or plz go away
Bryzzo2016
Man, he would be a GREAT fit for the Braves. Ocuna, Freeman, Albies, Harper… WOW.
Andy Stang
If Boras can’t get over $300 million, he’ll sign with the Padres for $125 million for 4 years. That will give Harper a higher paid yearly salary than Machado and help Boras save face.
Central Valley
It’s obvious Harper wants to stay close to home in Las Vegas and is waiting for the San FrantGiabts to step up. The NL West keeps him home.
At least my thoughts. Don’t think he wants the Phillies.
Lorenzo
I think you’re right about the NL West being closer to home, but San Diego, not San Frisco. Harper must have let Boras talk him into seeing how much he could get when Harper didn’t want to go to Philly. I’m guessing Harper was close to telling Boras to make his best deal with the Padres, when Machado took the option away. If Boras doesn’t have a bigger deal, Harper will have to take a short term deal.
ifonlydetroitcoulddraft
MLB Trade Rumors: Boras pays writers to make the Phillies think other teams are bidding
CursedRangers
Will not surprise me at all if one day this is announced. Not only do a handful of select writers constantly pump out news on Boras agents, they also never write anything negative about him. Look at how many unsigned players he still has. He totally misread the market last offseason, and is doing so again this year. The Boras corporation pulls down $105M a year – more than many teams entire payrolls. Boras has a net worth of $400M. Yet national writers never speak ill of him. It’s past baffling.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
If Boras and his corporation are making tons of money, then they’re doing the job their clients pay them for. Fans might not like it, but it’s far from baffling as to why writers praise Boras; he does his job and does it well.
CursedRangers
If you want a fun exercise, take a look at the ten or so remaining free agents that Boras represents. Then look at how many of those players turned down lucrative extensions and are now staring at contracts that will likely be worth a fraction of that.
Take a look at how many free agent catchers are left on the market, and how many of those are represented by Boras. Do the same for left and right fielders. It’s almost comical.
Take a look at the stud 3B he represents and the $17.5M he turned down in 2017. And then look at the $6.5M contract Boras landed him in 2018. And the $10M contract he landed him this year. Two years of playing for less than what he was offered for one year.
Make no mistake, Boras has pulled down some crazy insane contracts. But for all of his hits, he has just as many whiffs. And the last two years his mistakes have far outweighed his wins.
DougieJones
Can’t these clueless insiders just admit they don’t know anything?
yamsi1912
Harper to the Lakers. Lebron wanted him as a teammate.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
that the Phillies are wary of bidding against themselves and overpaying for Harper
Well the Padres bidded against themselves!
You mean to tell me that the Phillies don’t want in on the fun?
Perksy
Padres are still only at $110m payroll with Machado. Go out and get Harper cheapos. Sick of all these teams penny pinching with the owners not spending. A 1/2 of the teams in baseball today are a joke and have no shot before the season even starts. Ridiculous.
James1955
Persky. Are you going to have 30 .500 teams? Are the teams going to keep bidding until the price is 1 trillion dollars?
PaidByTheNotes
Complaining about teams not spending and you single out the team that’s given out the biggest contract in each of the last 2 offseasons? If you’re gonna be outraged atleast direct it at a team that isn’t spending. That might actually make sense and a point.
petfoodfella
Last 18 years has had a decent amount of parity for WS winners. MLB isn’t like the NBA, Cavs vs Warriors v4 (obviously not this year either).
There are some teams that aren’t ready yet, but no league is going to have 30 teams who on day 1 know they’ll have a shot come playoffs.
bringoutthegimp
Please Nat’s don’t do it!!!!!!!!!
chop246
I have a feeling that if the Phillies sign Harper the Braves will pull the trigger for Kimbrel
petfoodfella
I have a feeling the Braves are a mystery team on Harper.
angler
Please no – dude is not worth it and a dewshhhhhh
bradthebluefish
Oh Nats and their deferred money. Can’t wait to see the ramifications of all these deferred signings.