MLB’s Winter Meetings wrapped up last week, and much to everyone’s chagrin, it was a pretty dull time in Nashville. The big kahunas – Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto – were still free agents when baseball executives, baseball writers, and baseball fans left the Gaylord Opryland Resort. This lack of action prompted Ken Rosenthal and Buster Olney to write articles lamenting the process and the lack of action.
However, one story came out of the meetings that was somewhat overlooked. Scott Boras held his “State of the Game” or “Scott of the Union” or “Boras Annual Pun-Fest” on the last day in town, where he pontificated about the meetings, his clients, and where baseball is and is going. And he also revealed that Bryce Harper wants to extend his contract with the Phillies. Here are some relevant quotes:
“Bryce has certainly expressed to [the Phillies] that he wants to end his career in Philadelphia.” “This is something I want off my mind,” the agent quoted his client as saying. “I want to play
well beyond the terms of my contract.”
To refresh your memory, Harper signed the largest contract in MLB history in March of 2019 – $330 million over 13 years. This writer wrote at the time that the number of years was irrelevant because Harper (and Boras) simply wanted the highest total amount. Giancarlo Stanton had previously agreed to terms for 13/$325 million, so Harper’s contract had to outperform that. The mission was completed.
During the 2018-2019 hot stove season, it was reported that the Dodgers offered Harper a four-year, $180 million contract, allowing Harper to become a free agent again at the age of 29. While $45 million per year would have been a record (and the highest in MLB until this past weekend), the 180 was not making a difference for Harper/Boras.
Harper signed a contract with the Phillies and then boasted that the contract had no opt-out clauses because “this is where I want to be.” Again, this writer claimed (at the time) that the Phillies refused to offer Harper any opt-outs because they agreed to the largest total value contract in MLB history and didn’t want Boras returning in “five or seven years… [demanding] more money to finish the deal.”
So, guess what? That is exactly what is taking place. Boras is, after all, couching his request in loyal language like “ending his career” in Philadelphia, “being there for the duration,” and being “committed.” But the truth is that Bryce Harper believes he is being underpaid, and he is correct.
Harper’s contract is worth $25.38 million per year. If you include Stephen Strasburg (who is still being paid by the Nationals), Harper will be the 21st highest paid player entering the 2024 season (and that is before Yamamoto and Cody Bellinger sign). He is one spot ahead of Dansby Swanson (no offense, Mr. Swanson); two spots behind Kris Bryant; and sixteen spots behind Anthony Rendon. With his 2021 MVP, Silver Slugger awards, and the way he has embraced both the city of Philadelphia and his moments on the biggest stage, Harper has every reason to believe he should be at the top of this list.
Harper and Boras, unfortunately, made their $330 million bed. They chose the most, the biggest, and the best – at the time. They knew Mike Trout and Mookie Betts would be paid soon, and most likely for more than $330 million. But they wanted the headlines and to wear the crown, however briefly. They’re now trapped.
Harper will have just turned 39 when his current contract expires. Putting aside his injury history and the fact that he has already moved from right field to first base as a result of major elbow surgery, there is a very good chance that he can play into his 40s with improvements in nutrition and training.
If Harper truly wants to play that long, and in Philadelphia, he could request a mutual two or three-year extension at the same annual salary, exercisable within 12-24 months of the current deal’s expiration. That would demonstrate his dedication to the organization as well as his health and well-being. In the absence of that, this is nothing more than a cash grab disguised as a loyalty pledge; it is resentment, envy, and regret for settling for less than he is worth – when settling means he will be paid nearly a third of a billion dollars.
You can bet that these extension talks will continue now that Shohei Ohtani has more than doubled Harper’s contract. However, Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton did not become a billionaire by cowering to threats, no matter how softly they are phrased, and he is not unfamiliar with the concept of leverage. He already has it and may be hesitant to give it up by caving and giving more to a player he has under contract for another eight years.
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