Bryce Harper wants to be the richest player in baseball. The question is whether the Washington Nationals outfielder earns it here.
USA Today reported Nationals officials were surprised by a floated $400 million, 10-year deal when Harper becomes a free agent in 2018. Surprised? You shouldn't be. That number has been out there for months. Frankly, it may reach $500 million before it's all said and done.
The Nationals are talking tough, with a source saying they'd let Harper go for that number. Well, we'll see.
It's easy to take a firm stance two years out, but the story will now dominate the Nationals until then. Like, every single day. We'll see if the owners blink first. The team can't market Harper for seven years and then suddenly say, "See ya," because of money without serious fan backlash.
