Phillies to Sign Bryce Harper

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The wait is over. Six-time All-Star, 2012 National League Rookie of the Year, 2015 National League Most Valuable Player and Silver Slugger Award winner Bryce Harper will sign with the Philadelphia Phillies. According to multiple reports, the deal is worth 13 years and $330 million with no opt-outs and a full no-trade clause, which sets a new North American sports record for overall dollars committed to one player.


Through seven seasons thus far in his career — all spent with the Washington Nationals — Harper, 26, has logged 183 doubles, 18 triples, 184 home runs, 521 RBI, and a .279/.388/.512 career slash. Harper was drafted first overall in the 2010 amateur draft out of the College of Southern Nevada. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francsico Giants were reportedly the only remaining teams interested in Harper other than the Phillies.

  • Dodgers' offer: Four-year deal worth approximately $45 million per season (per Jon Morosi); 3 years, $135 million or 4 years, $168 million (per Bob Nightengale)
  • Giants' offer: $310 million over 12 years; would need to be at least $335-plus million due to California taxes (per  Nightengale).

Dodgers: 3 years, $135 million or 4 years, $168 million. #SFGiants: 12 years, $310 million. #Phillies: 13 years, $330 million. No opt out. Full no trade. No deferred money

Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said the outfielder did not want an opt-out clause, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury. Rather, he prioritized being in "one city the rest of his career," a "long-term deal that would keep him in one place," a "hitter-friendly ballpark," "franchise direction," and "commitment to winning."

According to Salisbury, when Phillies managing partner John Middleton traveled to Las Vegas last weekend to express his long-term vision to the All-Star. Middleton's wife, Leigh, joined Harper and his wife, Kayla, for dinner. Middleton stressed community, family and the "Phillies' long history of charitable work" in his pitch.

It worked.

And, barring a decision to move on from Odubel Herrera in center field, the Phillies will have Herrera, Harper and Andrew McCutchen as their everyday starting outfielders. Last season, McCutchen and Harper alone combined for 282 hits, 186 runs scored, 165 RBI and 54 home runs.

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