Bryce Harper is still a free agent as pitchers and catchers are already reporting to spring training this week. Harper, 26, was expected to be the most-sought after free agent in MLB since Alex Rodriguez.
However, the market appears to be dry. Harper has fell victim to the slowing market that has engulfed MLB the past two winters. He reportedly rejected a $300 million offer from the Washington Nationals at the end of the 2018 season.
Nearly five months later, all Harper has garnered is new daily reports of who made an offer, become a front-runner in signing him, or a team dropping out of his sweepstakes.
Former Nationals teammate and current Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley revealed Wednesday that he has been in contact with Harper when he was asked where he thinks the slugger would sign.
“No idea,” Kelley answered per TR Sullivan of MLB.com. “Talked to him the other day and he said it’s actually slower than you guys think it is.”
At this point as his free agency has dragged out, it’s hard to decipher what’s fact or fiction. Nonetheless, Kelley’s candid comment paints a vivid picture of just why Harper has not signed.
Recently, the San Francisco Giants were rumored to offer a short-term deal to Harper. However, Harper is not interested in short-term deals, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
It’s anyone’s guess when or where Harper signs. He along with Manny Machado are waiting for their ideal offer. The way things have played out thus far, such an offer may not exist.
