Washington Nationals: 5 x-factors for Bryce Harper in 2018

Contract year distractions

Contract seasons are full of additional distractions for high-profile players; they have to deal with the media discussing their contract status, they do not know where they will be playing the next season, and they feel additional pressure to perform.

Harper’s contract year has barely begun, but he is already handling it perfectly. Before beginning his first press conference of spring training, he made a point of saying that he will not field questions pertaining to anything beyond 2018. His reasoning for this is because he is completely focused on winning with the Nats this year.

Although Harper caught some criticism for this statement, it was the right thing to do.

Despite the fact that Harper will not answer questions about his contract status, it will be a hot topic of discussion all year. His impending free agency has been the most-anticipated free agency case of all-time, having been heavily discussed for several seasons now.

Harper may not answer questions about his contract status, but it will be impossible to avoid all year.

Finally, Harper may feel a little extra pressure to perform. People have speculated that he will receive a contract worth $400-500 million, but a solid season would further strengthen his case to receive the most lucrative contract of all-time.

While Harper may feel a little extra pressure to perform, it will not affect him. He has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, even being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16. Pressure has never seemed to bother him, which will be the case once again in 2018.

As a matter of fact, his contract year may actually help him perform better. Players typically either choke under the pressure of a contract year or produce a career-year.

Harper has produced historic seasons before, but 2018 may be his best year yet. Only time will tell.