As the Bryce Harper sweepstakes drags on, it appears the Washington Nationals have emerged as the favorites to re-sign the 26-year old. According to Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA, the Los Angeles Dodgers are out of the running for Harper for now and the Nationals appear destined to re-sign him.
According to Duarte, the Dodgers are only interested in four or five-year deals. Harper is seeking a 10-year contract. Washington offered a $300 million, 10-year deal in September that Harper rejected. However, as the list of teams dropping out of the sweepstakes is increasing.
The Chicago White Sox are only interested in a seven-year deal. The Philadelphia Phillies are the only other known team prepared to commit to a 10-year deal with Harper, however, according to Dan Federico of Bleacher Report, former Nats teammate Jayson Werth “has a big part in Harper not liking Philly.”
The New York Yankees appear out of the running without trading Giancarlo Stanton’s mega contract, according to Federico.
Friday Jim Bowden of the Athletic reported the Nationals recently offered Harper “much more” than their initial $300 million offer. And according to Federico’s report, the Nationals’ ownership, “doesn’t care about spending money” in order to win a World Series.
With sough a sought after player, there has been a variety of reports about teams’ interests, however, from a series of recent reports all signs are pointing to a Harper-Nationals reunion.
