District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals: Top Five Offseason Storylines To Watch

By Ricky Keeler

Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker walks into the dugout prior to game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker walks into the dugout prior to game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Washington Nationals
Aug 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits an RBI double and the go ahead run in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Nationals defeated the Rockies 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Do Bryce Harper Extension Talks Happen?

Despite a down season from Harper in 2016, he is still one of the best players in baseball. While there are two more years until Harper is a free agent, the question this winter is whether or not the Nats and Harper can get closer to a long term extension this offseason?

While there is no pressing need to get a deal done, the anxiousness will continue to grow amongst fans if Harper isn’t signed as he has just two years left on that deal. Normally, with Scott Boras clients, the player goes to free agency.

But, with Strasburg avoiding free agency, that does leave some hope that Harper could sign an extension early. Last year, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Nats talked extension with Harper, but nothing was formal. Will we see those talks continue to progress more this winter?

Despite having a down season compared to his MVP year in 2015, Harper still hit 24 home runs and had a .373 on-base percentage this season. The other question surrounding Harper will be whether or not we hear more news about how much his shoulder bothered him this season.

All in all, i don’t expect any extension to happen this winter between Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals. But, it will be interesting to see if these two sides continue to move closer to a deal as his free agency gets closer and closer.

Home/Nationals News