Speaking with NBC Sports Friday, Nationals owner Mark Lerner spoke about the status of the negotiations – or rather the lack of negotiations – between the team and Scott Boras, who represents Bryce Harper.
“I have no clue at this point what they’re up to,” Lerner said. “We really haven’t heard from them in a couple of months.”
Harper, 26, has been the biggest free agent this whole offseason and remains unsigned, even after teams’ full rosters have reported to spring training. After a down year both offensively and defensively, he’s been holding out for a contract he believes he’s worth, but waiting to sign has all but eliminated the Nationals from consideration.
“We’ve moved on… We had to,” Lerner stated. “There was no way we could wait around. Bryce will make his decision hopefully in the next few days, but we’ve filled out our roster.”
The unanimous 2015 NL MVP, which he won at the age of 22, finished 12th in MVP voting in 2017 before getting no votes in 2018. He slashed .249/.393/.496 with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs, leading the Majors with 130 walks. He was able to stay healthy, playing 159 games, after just 111 in 2017.
An .889 OPS, 34 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 130 walks is nothing to scoff at, but when talking about a mega contract north of 10 years and $300 million, it leaves room for concern. It also doesn’t help that Harper was one of the worst defenders in the Bigs last season, posting -10 DRS with a -7.0 UZR (-18 UZR/150) across 477.1 innings in center field. Right field saw more of the same, as across 860.2 innings, he was worth -16 DRS with a -7.4 UZR (-15.4 UZR/150).
He is usually an average defender with an above-average arm, but this severe drop-off has left many owners weary.
Harper could make his decision in the coming days, so stay tuned!
