Bryce Harper is in “deep and serious negotiations” with the Philadelphia Phillies, USA Today reported.
Phillies owner John Middleton was in Harper’s hometown of Las Vegas this weekend. Further, USA Today reported there’s enough optimism that the two sides will reach a 10-year agreement by Monday afternoon.
The #Phillies are in deep and serious negotiations with Bryce Harper. Owner John Middleton doesn’t want to leave Las Vegas without a deal.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 24, 2019
Philadelphia #Phillies owner John Middleton still in Las Vegas with Bryce Harper negotiations and optimism now is that 10-year deal with Bryce Harper is finalized by Monday afternoon.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 24, 2019
Harper is reportedly seeking a 10-year deal worth $350-to-$360 million.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, Harper has also been negotiating with two other teams.
Middleton is now on his way back east, reports @JSalisburyNBCS this was the expectation yesterday. Middleton was not expected to close the deal in this meeting https://t.co/laztc3Emsc
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 24, 2019
While Phillies are seen as the favorite (and may well be), team Harper has been negotiating in Vegas with two teams who were there to see Bryce today, “with more to follow”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 24, 2019
Harper asking price is said by some involved teams to be in 350/360M range. The case is that while Harper and Machado may be comparable on field and similar age, Harper has real value off field due to cachet/fame. Some owners concede this tho some claim it’s “hard to quantify”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 24, 2019
On Friday, Nationals owner Mark Lerner told NBC Sports Washington that his team had “moved on” from Harper.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.