Earlier this winter, Bryce Harper’s agent, The Boras Corporation, expressed interest in contract extension talks with the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason. When the request was initially reported, it was considered odd. After all, Harper still has eight years left on his 13-year contract signed before the 2019 season.
During a recent appearance on 94WIP’s The Morning Show, Phillies head of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was asked if extension talks had begun with the team’s new full-time first baseman.
“We know he’s a Phillie for eight more years and there’s a lot of time to digest things,” Dombrowski told reporters. “But it’s a situation where we’re thrilled that he’s on board and again, you can desire and want anything you would like, but I think it’s also, knowing Bryce, when he gets to spring training under any circumstances, he’s ready to go.”
According to reports, the Phillies aren’t in a rush to begin extended talks with Harper and Scott Boras. It is unusual for an agent to request an extension thus long in advance of a contract’s expiration. What is the purpose behind requesting an extension when there is still so much time remaining on a contract?
How much is Bryce Harper worth?
Harper and his camp are likely to believe he is underpaid. Most people would not consider a player earning more than $25 million per year to be underpaid; nevertheless, in the business of baseball, Harper’s contract is incredibly team-friendly.
Harper will earn $26 million per season through 2028, his age 35 season. He’ll earn $22 million every season for the next three years of his contract. When Harper signed his $330 million contract, he inked the greatest total dollar amount in baseball history. Since then, other players have signed deals that exceed the Phillies’ first baseman’s contract.
Harper will be the 23rd-highest paid player in baseball this season, according to Spotrac. However, in terms of actual player value, he should be earning significantly more. For comparison, Patrick Corbin, Stephen Strasburg, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rendon will all make more money.
It is probably a good idea for the Phillies to avoid extending any player, even if he is the franchise’s face, so close to the end of his contract. Eight years is a long period, and who knows what may occur between now and then. If Harper is as healthy and productive as he wants to be in the next two or three years, the team may consider extending and compensating their MVP at that time.
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