Amid speculation that Bryce Harper did not want to play in Philadelphia and preferred to sign with a west coast team, the star outfielder agreed to a contract on Thursday that makes it clear he wants to be a Phillie for life.
Harper has agreed to a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies. The deal is the largest in MLB history in terms of total guaranteed dollars, but it does not include an opt-out clause like the one Manny Machado got in his $300 million deal from the San Diego Padres or Nolan Arenado got with his $260 million extension from the Colorado Rockies.
According to multiple reports, Harper wanted it that way. He also secured a no-trade clause in the contract.
Source says Harper did not want an opt out in the contract. #Phillies.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 28, 2019
There are no deferrals or opts outs. Harper gets no-trade clause. Harper and Philly are committing to each other for the long term after lots of belief he wanted West Coast team. #Phillies
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 28, 2019
As Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic notes, the Phillies likely did not want to include an opt-out clause once they agreed to give Harper the biggest free agent contract in baseball history.
Either way, Harper probably could have negotiated the same type of contract that Machado and Arenado did. If what was previously reported about his desire to play in Philly was accurate, it would stand to reason that he would not have committed to the franchise for 13 years. Money talks, but there are other ways Harper could have structured the deal. He clearly has no reservations about playing for the Phillies.
