Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Bryce Harper is finalizing a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Jeff Passan of ESPN reports the deal is for $330 million over 13 years with no opt outs and a full no-trade clause, meaning the currently 26-year-old Harper will be in Philadelphia through his age 39 season.
“We had average values of $45M offered on shorter term deals. We had a full buffet,” said Harper’s agent Scott Boras, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
“The goal was to get the longest contract possible. Bryce wanted 1 city for the rest of his career. That is what I was instructed to do. It is very difficult in this time to get length of contract that takes a player to age 37, 38, 39.”
The 2015 NL MVP made his fourth consecutive All Star Team and sixth overall in 2018, despite what’s been characterized as a “down year” both offensively and defensively. He hit .249/.393/.496 with 34 home runs, 100 RBIs, and a 135 wRC+, leading all of MLB with 130 walks.
A normally league-average defender, Harper was very bad in the field in 2018, posting -16 DRS and a -7.4 UZR (-15.4 UZR/150) in 860.2 innings in right field. In center field, he posted -10 DRS and a -7.0 (-18.0 UZR/150) across 477.1 innings in center field.
The deal averages out to $25.4 million per season, the 14th highest AAV in MLB history. There are no deferrals in the deal, Jon Heyman reports.
The NL East was already the division to watch in 2019 with four serious playoff contenders, but this instantly makes the Phillies a lot better, right atop the division with the Mets, Braves, and Nationals. One thing’s for sure, the Marlins are going to have a rough 2019 season.
