The Bryce Harper saga has turned on us once again. We knew that it would be this way. Moreover, Michael Duarte of NBC Sports Los Angeles has been a consistent source of Harper news and rumors this winter. The big one was when Duarte heard that the Dodgers were ‘on the 10 or 20 yard-line’ in regards to signing Harper.
On Friday, he released a couple more items on twitter.
Bryce Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, wants a 10-year mega deal. The #Dodgers are interested in a 4-5 year deal. It appears LA is out of the running for now, but if Harper really wants to be a Dodger, he can still tell Boras to get the deal done.
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) January 5, 2019
Sources believe #Nationals are now favorites to land Bryce Harper. Followed by #Phillies and then everyone else. Washington offered Harper “Well over $300 million” (as reported by @JimBowdenGM) on a 10-year deal and source indicated “I would be surprised if he doesn’t sign It.”
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) January 5, 2019
It’s possible that the Dodgers were the frontrunner for a long while. Still, it’s important not to underestimate the power of super-agent Scott Boras in all of this. Boras is the commanding hand that is paid to advise his client – and it’s in Boras’ best interest if Harper signs a 10-year pact for as many dollars as possible.
Moreover, this has the Nationals back in the mix. They offered Harper a 10-year deal before the season ended. Now that that Harper and Boras have shopped the market and suitors have died down, that agreement is starting to look more attractive.
Most recently have been reports that Harper’s friends believe privately that he desires to be in Los Angeles. As Duarte indicated – it’s not out of the realm that the Dodgers still make this splash. However, it would take Harper jumping in the mix and telling his agent that he really wants to be a Los Angeles Dodger.
The only certainty at this point is the Harper story likely takes a few more twists and turns before being finalized either way.
Source: “Los Angeles” – Google News