Bryce Harper 2018 and beyond

[Smithian]

I want Harper to be a Nat next year. I just think another team will want him more than the Nats.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I had an interesting conversation Friday at OPACY with a guy who coaches high level amateurs in Las Vegas.  We started talking about Harper and where he'll end up.  This guy was hoping for LAD, but then we started talking about the Cubs.  He talks about Bryant's dad, who I guess is a coach or something out there, and this guy's impression of him.  At any rate, we were talking more Harper and the attitude question.  This guy volunteers how Matt Williams came in to speak to his kids, sort of a motivational thing, and how this guy talked to him about Harper.  Williams reportedly told this guy that Williams had been on Harper's case about being sure to always show you're giving effort or some veterans would get on you're case and start spreading grief about your attitude.  then the guy says that's what the Papelbon incident was all about. Papelbon was annoyed at the failure to run out groundballs and other things, which led to the words and confrontation.  My guess is the lack of Williams doing anything at the time may have been tacit approval of JP confronting him, which might also explain how things were patched up and why Papelbon was back the next year.

[LoveAngelos]

I read Harper named his dog Wrigley. He is best friends with Bryant.  If the wives are also tight then it's Wrigley there he goes to play in a stadium packed with home team fans every game

[Panther Modern]

I read Harper named his dog Wrigley. He is best friends with Bryant.  If the wives are also tight then it's Wrigley there he goes to play in a stadium packed with home team fans every game

It's looking more and more like the Cubs T_T

[Air Desmond]

Bryce’s average is steadily climbing. If he keeps it up, I could see him finishing around 260. All n all, a pretty damn good season.

[Slateman]

Bryce’s average is steadily climbing. If he keeps it up, I could see him finishing around 260. All n all, a pretty damn good season.

No. All in all, an incredibly disappointing career so far for the once in a generation talent

[Air Desmond]

On pace for 40 homers and 100 rbi. I’ll take it.

[rileyn]

No. All in all, an incredibly disappointing career so far for the once in a generation talent

This.  7 years of Bryce and what did that get us?  Zero playoff series wins.  Cut him loose.

[Slateman]

This.  7 years of Bryce and what did that get us?  Zero playoff series wins.  Cut him loose.

That's not even my concern. Seattle went to the playoffs twice with ARod.

What's disappointing is that we saw glimpses of his ability, but never harnessed it.

[Bloo]

On pace for 40 homers and 100 rbi. I’ll take it.

If Harper averages 40 homers a season over the next 15 years, he will have broken Barry Bonds' homerun record.

[Baseball is Life]

This.  7 years of Bryce and what did that get us?  Zero playoff series wins.  Cut him loose.

It's not about what he's done in the past. It's about what you think he will do in the future. Kind of like the stock market.

[Baseball is Life]

On pace for 40 homers and 100 rbi. I’ll take it.

He will do this and hit at least .250 and it will be considered a bad season.

[Natsinpwc]

It's not about what he's done in the past. It's about what you think he will do in the future. Kind of like the stock market.

When you analyze the market you also factor in past trends.

[Natsinpwc]

He will do this and hit at least .250 and it will be considered a bad season.

Well. Yea. For someone who wants $40 million per year. If he would accept $20-25 million I would go for that. Basically you could sign two $20 million per year guys for his price. They also need to sign Rendon. But I know you hate him.

[Baseball is Life]

Well. Yea. For someone who wants $40 million per year. If he would accept $20-25 million I would go for that. Basically you could sign two $20 million per year guys for his price. They also need to sign Rendon. But I know you hate him.

Correct. It's all about the price, though I think you're too low. I think he will get $25-30 million and the Nats will sign him to at least 10 years and he will become a Nats legend. But you know I love him.

[Natsinpwc]

Correct. It's all about the price, though I think you're too low. I think he will get $25-30 million and the Nats will sign him to at least 10 years and he will become a Nats legend. But you know I love him.

I have the same love for Rendon. Better defense at a more important defensive position. Sign him. Can’t let it drag on like they did with Harper. I hope you are still saviring the HR derby win. 

[rileyn]

He will do this and hit at least .250 and it will be considered a bad season.

At his asking price, absolutely. 

[Slateman]

If Harper averages 40 homers a season over the next 15 years, he will have broken Barry Bonds' homerun record.

THe likelihood of Harper being healthy enough to do that is incredibly remote. He has a complicated swing and it's become obvious that minor injuries make it difficult for him to remain consistent.

[Slateman]

At his asking price, absolutely. 

So this is the question I have. Assuming that he will have a player option every year, what is the AAV that would be acceptable to bring Harper back at?

[sixthree175]

Question 1: Will Nats' ownership make a competitive offer (but not get into a bidding war)?

Question 2: Assuming the answer to Question 1 is "yes" (a reasonable assumption), will Harper prefer to stay in D.C.?  If the answer is "no", or if Harper and his agent go with the winner of a bidding war, then he's not staying.   

[Baseball is Life]

At his asking price, absolutely. 

You don't know his current asking price. AAV between $25-30 million and I'm all in. More than that, not so sure.

[Baseball is Life]

I have the same love for Rendon. Better defense at a more important defensive position. Sign him. Can’t let it drag on like they did with Harper. I hope you are still saviring the HR derby win. 

Sign both Rendon and Harper. Why not. Not my money.

Rendon is not a player you can build around. He's a very good, complimentary player. Besides, he has an awful game face.

[Natsinpwc]

Harper is going to one of the LA teams. They have deep pockets and will overpay. He will not accept a two year deal. Why would he? He needs to get the money when he can.

[Natsinpwc]

Sign both Rendon and Harper. Why not. Not my money.

Rendon is not a player you can build around. He's a very good, complimentary player. Besides, he has an awful game face.

Harper has a higher career WAR. But this year Rendon is way ahead. 2.1 to 1.2. You can’t build around a player who is a 1.5 annual WAR either. The Nats offense has been off this year and Harper is a major reason. You are mistaking HRs and RBIs for actual value. 

[Baseball is Life]

Harper is going to one of the LA teams. They have deep pockets and will overpay. He will not accept a two year deal. Why would he? He needs to get the money when he can.

Machado will sign with the Dodger so that takes them out, and he won't want to play with Trout.