This past spring, Bryce Harper opted to sign a $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, leaving his former team and the club that drafted, the Washington Nationals. The first of their 13-year pact did not go as plan, as the Nationals officially eliminated Harper and the Phillies from playoff contention with a 4-1 win Tuesday.
The Nationals reduced their magic number to clinching an NL wild card berth to two in the process. Washington now needs one win and a Chicago Cubs’ loss to clinch. They can do so Tuesday, as the Nationals face the Phillies in the night cap of a doubleheader.
Harper raised his batting average from by .008 from last year to .257. He hit 33 home runs and drove in 108 runs in 150 games. Numbers that nearly toppled his production last year with the Nationals. However, the Phillies’ signing of Bryce Harper was not enough to transform them into a playoff team this season.
Meanwhile, the Nationals got off to rocky start going 19-31 to start the year. But, a 58-27 stretch pushed them into playoff contention behind a loaded offensive lineup that includes Anthony Rendon, Harper’s replacement Juan Soto, Trea Turner, and large supporting cast.
The Phillies now have to address other needs and potentially a managerial change to regroup and protect their 13-year investment.
