WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 24: Katie Ledecky hands her Olympic medals to Bryce Harper #34 before throwing out the opening pitch before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 24, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The Bryce Harper sweepstakes drag on yet another day.
Since the other premier 26-year-old talent in the free agency class signed, San Diego Padres infielder Manny Machado, Harper has felt no need to hurry out for a deal. In fact, he’s used Machado as leverage. But with the regular season 30 days away, the former No. 1 overall pick is still unsigned.
Now, the Los Angeles Dodgers re-enter the chase for Harper. Though it’s speculated that the six-time All-Star wants a long-term deal, reports state that L.A. is only interested in a short-term deal. Despite being a free agent as February winds down, Harper insists that he will not change his stance on the length of the contract.
This past weekend, the Philadelphia Phillies front office went out to Las Vegas to meet Harper in his hometown. The team remains confident that they’ll sign the slugger. But it seems as though they’re being strung along. The Dodgers aren’t willing to give Harper what he wants and Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner said of Harper: “I have no clue at this point what they’re up to. We really haven’t heard from them in a couple months.”
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Over the weekend, reports stated that Phillies general manager John Middleton wouldn’t leave Vegas without a deal. Despite a contract going unsigned, the sides feel that they’re coming close to an agreement.
However, that could change with the Dodgers weaseling their way in. Multiple officials, including manager Dave Roberts, were in Vegas on Sunday.
Harper drew interest from the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago White Sox, on top of the previously mentioned teams. The New York Yankees have consistently affirmed that they are not interested in Harper despite agent Scott Boras‘s attempts to woo the front office.
Harper is looking for a deal over 10 years, $300 million. The contract was offered to him by Washington at the end of the regular season and would match what Machado signed for. He’s three seasons removed from an MVP campaign and struggled last year, hitting a measly .249 but a late-season hot streak netted him 34 homers and 100 runs batted in.
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