Last fall we heard that the Nationals offered Bryce Harper a ten-year, $300 million deal. Yesterday we learned that, in reality, it was not really a $300 million deal because a full one-third of that $300 million was deferred money. Today we hear that there has been nothing else doing between the Nationals and Harper since last fall and that the Nationals have, officially, moved on.
That’s the story from NBC Sports Washington, which spoke with Nats owner Mark Lerner today. Lerner said the roster is set and Bryce Harper is not going to be a part of it:
He did add later that “the door is cracked” if Harper and his agent, Scott Boras, wish to re-engage, but Lerner said he has not heard from the Harper camp in months.
It seems like Philly or, possibly, San Francisco, are the only real contenders. A reporter closely connected with Harper’s agent is saying the Padres haven’t ruled him out, but it’s hard to know how seriously to take that report.
