Bryce Harper wants $400 million? What it means for Yankees
OXON HILL, MD. -- The last time Bryce Harper played at Yankee Stadium, he heard just how bad fans want him while standing in right field.
"Fu-ture Yank-ee!"
"20-19!"
For his part, Harper didn't so much to quell their desire. The slugger said Yankees fans are "great" and that he loved watching the Bleacher Creatures' roll call. It sounded like he could get used to life in the Bronx.
Well, it sounds like he may have already taken a step in that direction.
Or he at least may have one foot out of Washington, D.C.
According to a report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Nationals aren't willing to give Harper what he wants: 10 years and $400 million.
Harper is set to become a free agent in the same 2019 class as Manny Machado, Adam Jones, Zich Britton, Andrew McCutchen and Matt Harvey. Clayton Kershaw and David Price have opt-out clauses that could make them free agents then, too.
Let's quickly look at what this could mean for the Yankees:
Yankees' 6 Winter Meetings priorities
Yankees' 6 Winter Meetings priorities
Here's what should be on Brian Cashman's to-do list
SO MUCH MONEY: Is Harper a $400 million player? Time will tell. He certainly didn't look like one in 2016, when he hit .243 with just 24 homers. The year before? Maybe. In 2015, Harper hit 42 bombs and posted a .330 batting average, leading many to think he was about to become the game's next great player. Giancarlo Stanton currently holds the record for baseball's richest contract at 13 years and $325 million.
OTHER OPTIONS: Yes, Harper could be the jewel of that star-studded class. But it's not like he'll be the only diamond. Machado, the same age as Harper, hit 37 bombs with a .294 batting average and played a stellar this base last year. Jones and McCutchen could also command big paydays, potentially shrinking Harper's earning power.
A MATCH?: Harper grew up a Yankees fan. His favorite player is Mickey Mantle. He wears No. 34, which if you add three and four equals seven. That was Mantle's number. He's got the personality for New York, too, and the Yankees lack star power. He'd bring it in gobs -- if he's playing the 2015 version of himself.
BORAS: According to Yahoo Sports, Harper's agent Scott Boras said he hans't even talked to the Nationals about a long-term contract extension for Harper. Who's telling the truth here? The Nationals? Boras? We'll find out.
[
www.nj.com]
