![]() With Harper’s money spread out over a longer term, that $25.4M AAV puts less of a hit on Philadelphia’s annual luxury tax bill. This dovetailed with the Phillies’ desire to add premium talent while also keeping costs (again) relatively in check in terms of the luxury tax. At the time of the signing, Harper stressed that he wanted long-term security for the rest of his career, so he could focus on baseball without having to worry about any future changes of scenery or upcoming trips to free agency. The deal was a straight 13-year pact without any opt-outs or club option years, which was by design. In terms of actual dollars, Harper is still owed $196M through the 2031 season. In terms of average annual value, however, Harper’s deal doesn’t crack the top 40 all-time, as he is making a relatively (in a very broad sense) modest AAV of just under $25.4M per season. At the time of the signing, Harper’s contract was the most expensive in baseball history, and it still ranks seventh all-time in terms of total dollars. He currently has it, and may be loath to give it up by giving in and giving more to a player he already has under contract for another eight years.Harper is still not even halfway through the 13-year, $330M contract he signed with the Phillies as a free agent during the 2018-19 offseason. However, Phillies owner John Middleton did not become a billionaire cowing to threats – however softly they are phrased – nor is he unfamiliar with the concept of leverage. You can bet, now that Shohei Ohtani has more than doubled Harper’s contract, that these extension talks will not be going away. Absent that, this is nothing more than a cash-grab dressed up as a loyalty pledge it is sour grapes, envy, and regret for settling for less than he is worth – when settling means he will be paid nearly one-third of a billion dollars. That would show his commitment to the organization and his health and well-being. If Harper truly wants to play that long, and play that long in Philadelphia, he could ask for a mutual two or three year extension at the same annual salary, exercisable within 12-24 months of expiration of the current deal. With the improvement in nutrition and training, there is a very good chance that he can play into his 40’s – putting aside his injury history and the fact that he has already moved from right field to first base as a result of a major elbow surgery. When his current deal expires, Harper will have just celebrated his 39 th birthday. But they wanted the headline, and to wear the crown, for however short a period. ![]() They knew Mike Trout and Mookie Betts were soon about get paid, and most likely more than $330 million. In 2019 they opted for the most, the biggest, the best – at the time. Unfortunately for Harper and Boras, they made their $330 million bed. It is certainly reasonable for Harper to believe that he should be at the top end of this list, with his 2021 MVP, his Silver Slugger awards, and the way he has embraced both the city of Philadelphia and his moments on the largest stage.īryce Harper has embraced the City of Philadelphia in a way few star athletes ever have. Swanson) he is two spots behind Kris Bryant and sixteen spots behind Anthony Rendon. He is just ahead of Dansby Swanson (no disrespect to Mr. According to Spotrac, if you count Stephen Strasburg (who is still being paid by the Nationals), Harper will be the 21 st highest paid player going into the 2024 season (and that is before Yamamoto and Cody Bellinger sign). The annual value of Harper’s contract is $25.38 million. Sure, Boras is couching the ask in loyal language like “end his career” in Philadelphia, and “being there for the duration,” and being “committed.” But the truth of the matter is that Bryce Harper believes he is underpaid – and he is correct. Well, guess what? That is exactly what is happening. Harper signed his deal with the Phillies, and then boasted that the contract did not contain any opt-outs because “this is where I want to be.” Again, this writer (at the time) averred that the Phillies refused to offer Harper any opt-outs because they agreed to the largest total value contract in MLB history, and they didn’t want Boras coming back in “five or seven years … more money to finish the deal.” *Had Harper accepted the Dodgers’ offer, and then entered free agency in his age-30 season, he could have easily commanded 10/$300 million, netting him – in the aggregate – 14/$480 million.
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