Bryce Harper 2018 and beyond

[Ray D]

Maybe he would hit better with those glasses?

He wears contact lenses normally, which are better than glasses, for sports.

[Panther Modern]

Maybe he would hit better with those glasses?

Savage.

[MorseTheHorse]

Here is the thing about Harper.....let's say he leaves this offseason and signs with Chicago or LAD with some mega deal.  When he returns to Nationals Park, I really don't think the fans will react much one way or the other.  Assuming he doesn't torch this place when he leaves, I don't think he gets lustily booed, and I don't think he gets a great standing ovation.  Guys like Desmond and Ramos probably got stronger receptions.  (Now if he goes to Philly, he will get booed.)

Agreed.

[Five Banners]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/failure-bryce-harper-era-234628687.html

[imref]

Agreed.

disagree, he gets the mother of all standing ovations.  I'm not sure folks on WNFF realize how important Harper is to the average fan.  Look around at the backs of them the next time you are at a game.

FWIW, this is all moot since we're going to keep him.

[blue911]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/failure-bryce-harper-era-234628687.html

It's crap journalism to make one player the scapegoat. Mike Trout has even played a winning playoff game. Giancarlo Stanton hasn't even played in the post season. Nolan Arenado is a wonderful player, he's never been past a play-in game. This should be on Rizzo not Harper.

[HalfSmokes]

disagree, he gets the mother of all standing ovations.  I'm not sure folks on WNFF realize how important Harper is to the average fan.  Look around at the backs of them the next time you are at a game.

FWIW, this is all moot since we're going to keep him.

I’m not sure he won’t get booed for leaving - especially if the nats release their offer, it won’t be hard to paint him as greedy

[skippy1999]

It's crap journalism to make one player the scapegoat. Mike Trout has even played a winning playoff game. Giancarlo Stanton hasn't even played in the post season. Nolan Arenado is a wonderful player, he's never been past a play-in game. This should be on Rizzo not Harper.

Exactly except all they care about is it'll get more clicks for them if they call out Harper

[imref]

on a more positive note:

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/mr-harper-stays-in-washington/

[bluestreak]

So basically he plays crappy enough in the first half to knock the Nats out of the playoffs, but well enough in the second half to price the Nats out of the race to retain him... Awesome.

[hotshot]

disagree, he gets the mother of all standing ovations.  I'm not sure folks on WNFF realize how important Harper is to the average fan.  Look around at the backs of them the next time you are at a game.

FWIW, this is all moot since we're going to keep him.

I think Nats will do everything they can to keep Harper. If they add Realmuto to catch, I'm liking the offense. The bullpen, on the other hand, requires almost a complete turnover and we need an under-the-radar starter (or two) to fill out the starting staff.

[imref]

So basically he plays crappy enough in the first half to knock the Nats out of the playoffs, but well enough in the second half to price the Nats out of the race to retain him... Awesome.

he wasn't the only reason we had a sub-par first half.

[UMDNats]

So basically he plays crappy enough in the first half to knock the Nats out of the playoffs, but well enough in the second half to price the Nats out of the race to retain him... Awesome.

Pretty much. Nats gonna nats.

[Natsinpwc]

he wasn't the only reason we had a sub-par first half.

No but as supposedly their best hitter it probably has a bigger impact than anyone else.

[Slateman]

So basically he plays crappy enough in the first half to knock the Nats out of the playoffs, but well enough in the second half to price the Nats out of the race to retain him... Awesome.

I maintain Harper departing will be addition by subtraction.

[imref]

I maintain Harper departing will be addition by subtraction.

good luck replacing his bat.

[Slateman]

good luck replacing his bat.

Had the bat for 7 years.

[imref]

Had the bat for 7 years.

by that logic the Angels would be better without Mike Trout.

[Slateman]

by that logic the Angels would be better without Mike Trout.

Perhaps, but you can also point to some pretty disastrous front office decisions that crushed the Angels' attempts to be competitive.

My point is that, frankly, it's not impossible to overcome the loss of his bat, especially given his effect on the clubhouse

[Baseball is Life]

My point is that, frankly, it's not impossible to overcome the loss of his bat, especially given his effect on the clubhouse

You have no idea what his "effect on the clubhouse" is. So just stop.

[Ray D]

I want Harper out of here so bad .... I just can't stand the guy.  Nothing personal.  But it seems like everytime he comes up in a big situation it's a near certainly he's going to strike out.  Sure, his stats don't look so bad, because he pads them by producing in low pressure situations.  I cannot imagine why any team would want him.

[Slateman]

I want Harper out of here so bad .... I just can't stand the guy.  Nothing personal.  But it seems like everytime he comes up in a big situation it's a near certainly he's going to strike out.  Sure, his stats don't look so bad, because he pads them by producing in low pressure situations.  I cannot imagine why any team would want him.

Oh, you just saw his at bat against Nola in the 8th inning too, huh?

[Ray D]

Oh, you just saw his at bat against Nola in the 8th inning too, huh?

Listened on the radio (from work).

[sixthree175]

Listened on the radio (from work).

Nola made great pitches on a 2-1 and 2-2 count.  Fastballs on outside edge of the plate.  He deserves credit.

[Slateman]

Nola made great pitches on a 2-1 and 2-2 count.  Fastballs on outside edge of the plate.  He deserves credit.

Which would be fine if Harper were an average lefty. But Harper is supposed to be a perennial MVP, HoF talent.