Harper or Soto

[Senatorswin]

Theoretical. You can sign Harper OR Soto after this season to a five year contract for the same amount of money. You can only sign one. Which do you sign?


Disregard everything else. They are both on the market as free agents after this year. Again, theoretical.

[RobDibblesGhost]

You should this thread up as a poll. Makes it easy to see the results. 

My vote is Soto.

[Senatorswin]

You can if you want. I don't know how.

[NatsAllThe Way]

That's a clown question, bro.

[Squab]

added the poll, but since Soto is already under control for 5 more years, I pick Harper

[GburgNatsFan]

Soto. Much more entertaining. Better player? I doubt it. But I think he's a lot more likely to play near his potential more of the time.

[Slateman]

Trout

[bluestreak]

I think I want Harper the next 5 years and Soto the 5 years after that, if they cost the same money.

[imref]

Soto, but I over a 2019 OF of Soto / Robles / Harper

[Nick the Pig]

Soto.

Unless Bryce is willing to accept a "hometown" discount at $15 mill per year...

[Senatorswin]

added the poll, but since Soto is already under control for 5 more years, I pick Harper

All things are equal in this scenario.

[Panther Modern]

Soto, especially if Harper is eyeing the door.

[mitlen]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/juan-soto-has-been-the-best-teenage-hitter-ever-and-it-doesnt-look-like-a-fluke/2018/09/12/cedf95da-b6a9-11e8-94eb-3bd52dfe917b_story.html?utm_term=.71ea727ddeb0

[slhubic]

good god, the easiest question of this month--even IF there was the option of Harper at Soto-level money, it's not only an easy decision for Soto, but even if it were 2-for-1, I would still want Harper gone.

[nfotiu]

I bet a Soto Vs Robles poll looks much different now than it did 4 months ago!

[Baseball is Life]

False dichotomy, really.

[Ray D]

added the poll, but since Soto is already under control for 5 more years, I pick Harper

you only get to keep one.  It’s a no brained. Soto.

[Ray D]

False dichotomy, really.

no it’s not. Why?

[Baseball is Life]

no it’s not. Why?

Because you can keep both. I know it's all hypothetical but don't see the point of the exercise.

false dichotomy: A situation in which two alternative points of view are presented as the only options, when others are available.

[Senatorswin]

The point is who would you rather have on your team for the next five years disregarding everything but talent and value to the team.

[Baseball is Life]

The point is who would you rather have on your team for the next five years disregarding everything but talent and value to the team.

Easy. Harper. He has a longer track record. I like potential but I would want to see Soto for another year or so before I would take him over Harper.

[Senatorswin]

Easy. Harper. He has a longer track record. I like potential but I would want to see Soto for another year or so before I would take him over Harper.

I think I agree. Soto looks like the real deal, especially with the OBP and the hitting to all fields, but you never know, he could be a one hit wonder. It doesn't look like he is but you know Harper is going to be good because he has been for multiple years. Tough decision.

[Baseball is Life]

I think I agree. Soto looks like the real deal, especially with the OBP and the hitting to all fields, but you never know, he could be a one hit wonder. It doesn't look like he is but you know Harper is going to be good because he has been for multiple years. Tough decision.

I remember after Turner came up and hit .340 some people were talking about him as an MVP candidate the next year. Potential is exciting, I get that, but the history of baseball is littered with rookie stars who couldn't maintain it after the league adjusts. Not saying that's the case with Soto because he looks like that rare talent but I take proven MLB players every time. And, to me, Harper still has incredible potential or upside. I think his best years are ahead of him because he's only 25.

[Truconfidence]

I remember after Turner came up and hit .340 some people were talking about him as an MVP candidate the next year. Potential is exciting, I get that, but the history of baseball is littered with rookie stars who couldn't maintain it after the league adjusts. Not saying that's the case with Soto because he looks like that rare talent but I take proven MLB players every time. And, to me, Harper still has incredible potential or upside. I think his best years are ahead of him because he's only 25.

You state like Turner still is not one? Top 5 in the NL in hits and a potential 20/40 guy puts you in the convo if we were winning.

[NJ Ave]

I take proven MLB players every time. And, to me, Harper still has incredible potential or upside.

I think this is ignoring that what Bryce has "proven" in 5 of 6 seasons is that he's going to go through a significant portion of the season slumping. People were complaining about Juan Soto having a 30-game stretch where he put up a .240 average with a .383 OBP and just didn't have any power coming with it. He OPSd .729 during those 30 games.

When Bryce was 19 he had a 55-game stretch where he hit .204/.273/.290. A third of the season, hitting like Christian Guzman. And just this year had another 41-game stretch almost as bad, hitting .175/.271/.357.

He's a temperamental guy, and when his timing goes off it stays off for a while. I'm not saying I wouldn't like to have both, but I certainly think if both guys are likely to have similar stats it's better for the baseball team to have more consistency and less boom/bust.