Another concern; is who will the ownership even be in the hands of when Harper is a free agent if Ted Lerner (age 86 now) is no longer alive? Will it still be the Lerner family? I am not informed as to whether or not Ted has a son that would take over like Steinbrenner did. That's a big deal when talking about a team keeping it's nucleus locked up. I know Ted is willing to spend... but the next guy might not be.
(See Cleveland Indians - Dick Jacobs/Dolan family of the present)
Yes, he has a son Mark... but I wouldn't be so sure that Ted Lerner likes to spend money. See payrolls since they took over through 2011.
