Scott Boras reportedly eyeing 12-year contract for Bryce Harper
The Washington Nationals have Bryce Harper under control through the 2018 season. Harper is only 20 years old, so ideally he will still be at the very beginning of his prime when that time rolls around. However, the team may try to work out a long-term extension with the centerpiece of their franchise sooner.
If the Nationals want to lock Harper up, they’ll have to deal with Scott Boras. Any team in the league could tell you how difficult that can be, and Boras is already showing us why. According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, the super agent is already aiming high.
Scott Boras at the yard today. He laid out a not-so-abstract case for the Nats signing Bryce Harper to a 12-year contract.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) August 27, 2013
Boras, asked how two sides could possibly come up with a number that works for a 12-year deal: "It's easy." He's too much.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) August 27, 2013
While few teams would ever agree to a 12-year contract with any player, you can’t blame Boras for starting there. Harper is already a serviceable MLB player with big-time power and a great glove. Again, he’s only 20.
Washington could sign Harper to a 12-year deal today and he would only be 32 when it expired, so we’re not talking about an Alex Rodriguez situation here. Health is always a concern with any contract of that magnitude, but unless Harper breaks down he would probably be looking for another huge contract after that one expired. It would also save the team the trouble of having to go through three years of arbitration, during which Harper would be making a ton of money anyway.
Chances are, the Nationals will stay put for a while. Thinking about a 12-year, $250 million deal (or however much Boras would be seeking) is alarming for any team. At the moment, Harper’s stock could not be any higher. Waiting a couple more years to see how it plays out should not cost the Nats all that much in the long run.
H/T Eye on Baseball
