I realize I'm going to take a lot of shots on this board for saying this but I hope Harper stays here and signs a long-term contract. His down year just might help keep his price down. And with all the contract stuff behind him, I think he's going to break out and have a great career with the Nats. He's just way too talented. Maybe it won't be the HOF career that was hyped (I never believed that crap anyway) but a great career nonetheless.
There's a lot of bullcrap being thrown around him being a poisonous effect on the team after his stupid comment on Saturday. It's pure speculation and a complete over reaction. Nobody really knows what's going on this clubhouse.
It's easy to kick a player or an organization when they are down but if Harper turns it around this year and the Nats make a race out of it, the fair weather fans will be the first one to lap it all up. And if not this year, if they sign Harper at a reasonable price and go forward I think the Nats are competitive for years to come. But if they FA market drives his price out of reach so be it. They still have a good young core and will have some money to get some FA (hopefully some starting pitching!)
OK, take a number of you want to take a shot at me.
Jeff Passan is well sourced and a good reporter he said he had 4(!) sources. And Chelsea Janes intimated about clubhouse dysfunction based on special treatment of Harper in an article she wrote this weekend. I believe Chelsea Janes knows what's going on in the clubhouse, probably more than anyone on the planet not employed by the Nationals. It didn't start with the Realmuto comment, but it was a well timed and apt example of probably what is going on. Harper does what he wants and has very little consequence for it.
I have been as sun-shiny as anyone here. But the Realmuto comment really did it for me. If Bryce wants the Nats to commit significant assets to get Realmuto, all he has to do is sign with the Nats long term and then Robles becomes more expendable (although I don't fully believe this, because Harper shouldn't be playing CF).
He has had a subpar season, it would make total sense for him to sign an extension with some opt outs. Good for him, good for the Nats. But either he or his agent have decided that isn't the best course of action. That's his choice. But don't expect long term commitments from the team when you are unwilling to make them yourself. And don't throw your teammates under the bus when you are one of the main reasons for the team's underperformance.
I wouldnt mind if Harper stayed, but given what they have in the outfield and what they need in the battery and infield, you have to consider that letting Harper walk might be best for the team. Sinking hundreds of millions in the outfield when you have 3 talented, cheap options with 15 years of control among them might not be the smartest course of action.
