Speaking Of Treason...

Lord Jim · Post by **Lord Jim** » Fri Mar 01, 2019 10:49 am

Bryce Harper agrees to deal with Philadelphia Phillies

Outfielder Bryce Harper agreed to a record-setting 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, completing a protracted, four-month journey through free agency and officially ending his seven-year tenure with the Washington Nationals, the franchise that drafted and developed him, brought him to the majors as a teenager in 2012 and watched him blossom into one of baseball’s biggest superstars. [That's gratitude for you...]

Harper’s deal, which will become official once he passes a physical, with one of the Nationals’ biggest rivals surpassed Giancarlo Stanton’s 13-year, $325 million extension with the Miami Marlins in 2014 as the largest contract in the history of major North American sports. But agent Scott Boras fell short of making Harper the game’s highest-paid player by annual salary.

The Phillies had been considered the favorites to sign Harper, 26, for much of the winter, owing in part to a November remark by owner John Middleton, who told USA Today he was willing to be “a little stupid” with his spending this winter. Talks intensified in recent weeks, and the Phillies ultimately held off late efforts by the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.

In recent weeks, the lack of a deal, despite the Phillies’ obvious interest and considerable resources, led to widespread speculation Harper did not want to play in Philadelphia and preferred a West Coast destination, closer to his Las Vegas home. But not only did Harper ultimately choose the Phillies, with a contract that won’t end until after 2031, he also agreed to a deal with a full no-trade clause and no opt-outs — signs that he intends to spend the rest of his career with the team.

As National League East rivals, the Phillies play the Nationals 19 times this season, with Harper’s first appearance at Nationals Park coming April 2. [I'm sure he'll get a warm reception...]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2 ... 9203fca8ac

BoSoxGal · Post by **BoSoxGal** » Fri Mar 01, 2019 1:20 pm

Can you really blame him for wanting to join the Phillies?

C’mon . . .

Burning Petard · Post by **Burning Petard** » Fri Mar 01, 2019 5:27 pm

I don't like the obscene pay Mr. Harper has achieved with the Phillies. But that is only my personal view. I grew up with the best pro team in Baseball--the Kansas City Monarchs, and the Yankee farm club, the Kansas City Blues in the same stadium for their home games. As a kid cutting school to go to a week-day Day game, I could get in for one dime, after paying a dime for round trip bus fare and another dime for a bag of peanuts. During summer, I much preferred to play the game myself as a left-handed second baseman.

But that was also a time when a team "owned" the players completely. I have no desire to return to that arrangement.

snailgate

Long Run · Post by **Long Run** » Fri Mar 01, 2019 5:31 pm

Two things:

1. Harper was the #1 pick in 2010 and widely considered a "can't miss" top player. It is not like the Nationals did him any special favors; if any other team had the draft rights, they would have drafted Harper, developed him and watched him blossom into an elite player. Nationals could have tried to keep him if they wanted to capitalize on their investment, and be loyal to a top star who provided them with 6-7 prime years.

2. These long and expensive contracts usually end up being a drag on the team, so the Nationals should be happy the Phillies paid way more than any other team would pay.

RayThom · Post by **RayThom** » Fri Mar 01, 2019 8:05 pm

The joke's on Harper -- he's stuck in Philadelphia for the length of this obscenely generous contract.

That said, all agents will attest that their clients are worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for their services.

Lord Jim · Post by **Lord Jim** » Sat Mar 02, 2019 6:59 pm

May the Phillies acquisition of Bryce Harper work out every bit as well for them as the Red Sox signing of my favorite SF Giant, Pablo Sandoval, did for them...

RayThom · Post by **RayThom** » Sat Mar 02, 2019 7:05 pm

Lord Jim wrote:May the Phillies acquisition of Bryce Harper work out every bit as well for them as the Red Sox signing of my favorite SF Giant, Pablo Sandoval, did for them...

Pablo who???

Lord Jim · Post by **Lord Jim** » Sat Mar 02, 2019 7:24 pm

Exactly.

Sue U · Post by **Sue U** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 9:14 pm

Lord Jim wrote:
As National League East rivals, the Phillies play the Nationals 19 times this season, with Harper’s first appearance at Nationals Park coming April 2. [I'm sure he'll get a warm reception...]

Philadelphia fans, not generally known for hospitality to visiting teams, nevertheless receive former hometown favorites quite warmly when they return as players signed with rivals (see, e.g., Jayson Werth, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Carlos Ruiz). I'm sure Nats fans are no less civilized.

Jarlaxle · Post by **Jarlaxle** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 10:08 pm

Lord Jim wrote:May the Phillies acquisition of Bryce Harper work out every bit as well for them as the Red Sox signing of my favorite SF Giant, Pablo Sandoval, did for them...

A World Series championship?

And he comes off the books after this year...which frees up money to sign Mookie Betts and/or Xander Bogaerts.

I recall that Tubby is back in Frisco.

wesw · Post by **wesw** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 10:55 pm

Bryce harper is a panty waste loser.

wesw · Post by **wesw** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 10:57 pm

...fuckin Strasburg too.

MajGenl.Meade · Post by **MajGenl.Meade** » Tue Mar 05, 2019 1:33 pm

Table tennis?

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