You have to give him more than he'd likely get by sitting out and waiting another year.
Not necessarily. I actually think we have stronger leverage in these negotiations than we did last year. First of all, if you pass on the Nationals, who are on the way up, you'll likely end up in a much smaller market next year with less exposure for endorsements and such. Also, if you delay a year, that's one more year you have to wait until arbitration and free agency. Also, Harper won't have as immediate impact on the team as Strasburg. We likely won't see him until 2013.
No way Harper commands as much as Strasburg, as much as Boras wants to posture. Remember, this is the guy who said he wanted $50 million for SS. Best thing to do is ignore the whole thing until we sign him and save yourself the anguish. Everything said in public is just posturing.
