Bad big contracts kill almost all teams. As good as Cashman has played the last couple of years, I don't think even the Yankees took a step back when their contracts turned bad. Granted, they bought the '09 World Series, but the collection of Damon, Teixeira, the Sabathia and Rodriguez extensions, and a few others eventually blocked better players and moves. The only teams I think that have survived bad contracts pretty well are the Dodgers and the Red Sox. Other than that, you look at the Pujols contract, the Tigers and Rangers, and even the big money, big spending teams hit walls when contracts turn bad. So, there's a ton of risk in committing to Harper for 10 or more years at $35+MM a year with opt outs. There's a ton of downside risk. Baseball people like Rizzo can evaluate the risk / reward better than I can, but it is a deal that will determine the course of the franchise either way. Sign him, and your fate rides on him playing well enough that he will be turning away a ton of money if he doesn't opt out.
