Washington Nationals: The Future of Bryce Harper
By Ron Juckett
BRIDGE DEAL
No, not a deal for the 14th Street Bridge, but something around four years to cover Harper’s last two arbitration years and first two of free agency.
If they settled on a four-year/$100 million contract, Harper would be one of the highest paid position players in baseball and still be a potential free agent at 28. He would not miss the chance of the bigger payday while raking in the big bucks now.
As Jayson Werth’s $21 million per year comes off the books after 2017, that is a deal Washington can make and not break the bank. At least $63 million over the last three years would be already be budgeted for.
A bridge deal also gives ample time for Washington to assess whether they can swing the home run contract, try to win a World Series with a happy Harper and continue to get the pieces needed to win a championship.
For Harper, it allows him to monitor if Washington can put a team around him to win without risking his best years on a mediocre team. If he is content, it gives all sides ample time to make the outfielder extremely wealthy.
Feel each other out and build together.