Scott Boras asked for a large contract extension for Bryce Harper, and the Nationals are balking at the money:
Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper has started talks for a contract extension but is asking for a record-breaking deal that will exceed 10 years in length and pay him more than $400 million, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, says discussions have taken place for a one-year deal in 2017. Harper earned $5 million in 2016 and is eligible for salary arbitration.
The Nationals believe the difference in negotiations may be too big to overcome and could prepare to move on without him.
This strikes me as a bargain. A $400 million price tag should buy 50 WAR at the going free agent rate. Harper, who has not yet hit his prime, might post that in six or seven seasons. If it were a 12-year, back loaded deal, the Nationals could get a lot of residual value, especially as inflation pushes salaries higher over the years. If Harper and posted another great season instead of an off year, he might be asking for $600 million.
On the other hand, he has been injury prone. I still suspect his relatively poor 2016 was due to some nagging injury. Still he seems worth the risk. Twelve years at 33.3 million a year? The Nationals should jump at the opportunity to lock up a player of that talent level at that price. If he plays great in 2017 and 2018 and hits the free agent market, his contract will dwarf what’s on the table.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2gvNgyg
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