Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports
You win one MVP award and suddenly you think you can ask for the farm.
And by farm, I mean $400 million. Excessive, I know, but that’s the rumor swirling around town for how much Bryce Harper is demanding in his next contract from the Washington Nationals. Don’t worry, it’s over about 10 years, so they can afford to pay him $40 million a year if they space it out.
Harper has won the Rookie of Year award, has been a 4-time All Star since 2012 and won his first MVP award in 2015. With that kind hardware, he’s definitely one of the best players in the game… and he’s only 24. Sure, to lock him up until he’s 34 does sound like a great idea, but at what cost?
Last year, Harper hit only .243 with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs. Good numbers, but far less than his MVP numbers a year before that where he hit .330 with 42 home runs and 99 RBIs.
Although Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, has said that they aren’t in contract negotiations, I’m sure there has been talk between the two parties on what is expected.
If Harper is serious about that large of a contract, then it’s a bit absurd. I understand that he wants to get paid, but it’s bit greedy to ask that much. Although the market in D.C. is a decent size, they’re not the Yankees. Even if Harper were to ask for $25 million a year, that’s still more than enough money to have a decent life and spread the wealth around. You know, to build a winning team.
