Bryce Harper to Earn More Than $400 Million in Free Agency According to AL GM

[Stephan Bobb]

Bryce Harper to Earn More Than $400 Million in Free Agency According to AL GM

TIMOTHY RAPP JUNE 5, 2017

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When Washington Nationals superstar Bryce Harper hits free agency following the 2018 season, at least one American League general manager expects him to sign a contract in excess of $400 million. 

"He is going to get paid," that unnamed general manager told Eddie Matz of ESPN.com. "Like, paid paid."

He added: "Four hundred million is light. It's going to be more than that. If you could sign him to a 15-year contract, you do it. I would say something in the range of $35 million a year, maybe closer to the high 30s. It could approach 40 million dollars a year."

 

Harper is currently making $13.6 million this season and will make $21.6 million in 2018, per Spotrac.com.

As Matz noted, neither the years nor total money being suggested is outside the realm of possibility. While Giancarlo Stanton is the only player in baseball with a deal longer than a decade—13 years, $325 million—Harper would be just 26 when he signs the deal, so a 15-year pact would take him to 41, the same age as Miguel Cabrera when his deal with the Tigers expires.

Matz added: 

"Based on average annual value, the highest-paid player in today's game is right-hander Zack Greinke, whose contract with the Diamondbacks earns him better than $34 million per season. On the one hand, Harper's not a pitcher like Greinke (or Price or Scherzer). On the other hand, he (A) already has one MVP on his résumé, (B) is in the conversation for another, (C) hasn't even hit his prime yet, and (D) is repped by super-agent Scott Boras. All of which suggests that the idea of Harper becoming the highest-paid player in the game isn't a far-fetched one."

From a value perspective, Harper continues to be one of the best players in all of baseball. Six years into his career, Harper is already a four-time All-Star and won the 2015 NL MVP. In 2017, he's opened the season at a torrid pace, hitting .324 with 15 homers, 43 RBI and 46 runs.

"For two of the last three years, if he hasn't been the best player in the National League, he's certainly on the short list," the AL GM told Matz. "He's one of the best players in the world. He's one of the youngest players in baseball, and he's one of the most accomplished."