Bryce Harper isn’t satisfied with his current deal; he wants to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies longer, and he’s willing to talk about a contract extension. Harper, 31, expressed a desire to end his career with the Phillies, as expressed by his agent, Scott Boras, during baseball’s winter meetings on Wednesday.
Harper’s current contract, a 13-year, $330 million deal, is set to expire at the end of his age-38 season. However, Harper, who wants to play into his 40s, is eager to sign an extension that will keep him a Phillies player for the rest of his illustrious career.
“Bryce has let me know that he wants to work out an extension so that he knows he’s going to be there for the remainder of his career,” Boras said, emphasizing Harper’s dedication to the Phillies. Boras, a veteran agent, sees Harper as a franchise player and has informed the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, of this.
Boras advised Harper to include an opt-out clause after a few years when he first signed with the Phillies in 2019. This is a common feature in many contracts negotiated by the agent. Harper, on the other hand, has publicly stated his disinterest in opting out, citing his desire to ensure stability and be a driving force in recruiting players to Philadelphia.
“I want the fans in Philadelphia to know that I’m going to be there for the duration and that I’m committed,'” Boras. Harper’s outspoken support for the Phillies in keeping players like J.T. Realmuto and pursuing free agents like Trea Turner has positioned him as a key figure in the team’s recruitment efforts.
Harper, who moved to first base last season, will make it his full-time position in 2024. In five seasons with the Phillies, he has a.284/.395/.536 batting line with 122 home runs. Furthermore, his postseason performances in the last two seasons, with a.324/.432/.705 slash line and 11 home runs, demonstrate his value and impact.
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