POLL: UPDATED: Bryce's team in 2019 will be.....

[Slateman]

The Phillies GM mentioned the money Machado signed for was too much for the Phillies. He also said there will be other free agents in the years to come. Of course he also said each free agent is different. Could it be the Phillies will hold their ground at less than the Machado signing with a look to Trout in two years. Especially after Trouts recent comments about Philly.

The Phillies GM is lying

[Mathguy]

Agree with the misjudgment.  It could also be a turn from the view of "whatever I can get" after 5 months of coming down to earth.

If Bryce signs for anything within hailing distance of that original Nats offer, sort of speaks to him not really wanting to be here.

Or that he misjudged his market

[Copecwby20]

I still can’t decide if I want him to sign for 310/10 here or 295/10 somewhere else out of spite. I desperately want him back, but if he goes somewhere else for less than we offered, I’d count that as a small victory.

[Expos]

Why do people want him back? Sure he is a good player but if this offseason hasn't proved that he is one of the biggest divas out there then I'm not sure what will.

He is toxic. He sucks the air out of the room. You can't win with players like that.

[Slateman]

Why do people want him back? Sure he is a good player but if this offseason hasn't proved that he is one of the biggest divas out there then I'm not sure what will.

He is toxic. He sucks the air out of the room. You can't win with players like that.

Exactly what this offseason has been "diva"?

[Kevrock]

I don't understand that take. He kept his mouth shut and let his agent work. Not his fault you can't stop refreshing MLBTR and Twitter 20 times a day
 

[Greg_SRT]

Why do people want him back? Sure he is a good player but if this offseason hasn't proved that he is one of the biggest divas out there then I'm not sure what will.

He is toxic. He sucks the air out of the room. You can't win with players like that.

If he wasn't able to hustle to 1st attempting to get $300+, why would he hustle after?

For $30 a year, I need a team leader. Not someone that sets a bad example.

[Expos]

Exactly what this offseason has been "diva"?

Have you not been listening to the reports of a fractured clubhouse here? Who do you think is responsible?

I'd put a hundred on the golden boy.

[WashingtonWizards23]

Can the Nats match the highest bidder? 

[DCFan]

Can the Nats match the highest bidder? 

Anyone can.

[WashingtonWizards23]

but in that scenario we should be the favorite right?

[nfotiu]

If he wasn't able to hustle to 1st attempting to get $300+, why would he hustle after?

For $30 a year, I need a team leader. Not someone that sets a bad example.

I know everyone says it over and over, but how much of his not hustling to first is actual fact?   I watch most every game, and I think I witnessed it maybe 2-3 times last year.  A couple of them were when he was in a slump and clearly frustrated.  So, yeah, it is not good to pout, but those were pretty isolated.  I remember one play that he slowed up and there was a bobble and he could have probably beat it if he busted it all the way.  He's by far not the only one though.  I've seen Rendon do it, and some others, and they don't get called out.   I think of Harper as generally a high hustle kind of guy for most of his time here, and it has got him in trouble a couple times.  If we wasn't running out that play in 2017 in the rain, we probably would have won a playoff series.

[Baseball is Life]

I know everyone says it over and over, but how much of his not hustling to first is actual fact?   I watch most every game, and I think I witnessed it maybe 2-3 times last year.  A couple of them were when he was in a slump and clearly frustrated.  So, yeah, it is not good to pout, but those were pretty isolated.  I remember one play that he slowed up and there was a bobble and he could have probably beat it if he busted it all the way.  He's by far not the only one though.  I've seen Rendon do it, and some others, and they don't get called out.   I think of Harper as generally a high hustle kind of guy for most of his time here, and it has got him in trouble a couple times.  If we wasn't running out that play in 2017 in the rain, we probably would have won a playoff series.

This. Harper gets an unfair of amount of focus. He doesn't hustle less or more than any other player. I watch every game that I can in TV or in person (and you see more live) and he is just like any other player when it comes to effort.

There are a lot of fans who just don't like flamboyant or high profile players. They resent the stars and the money they make. They will blame Harper for everything from bad clubhouse chemistry to the bad postgame buffett.

[rbw5t]

I don't think he's toxic, and I've enjoyed rooting for him, but I'd rather see the $300M available for Rendon plus improving/replacing pitching in future years once Max and Stras fade.  We haven't been able to develop any good starting pitching, and will need to pay for it on the FA market, which will be expensive.

[Baseball is Life]

I don't think he's toxic, and I've enjoyed rooting for him, but I'd rather see the $300M available for Rendon plus improving/replacing pitching in future years once Max and Stras fade.  We haven't been able to develop any good starting pitching, and will need to pay for it on the FA market, which will be expensive.

You make a good baseball case for not signing Harper and I buy that. I just hate it when people make it personal and vilify him and make him out to be the biggest jerk in baseball history. I just don't think that's fair. He actually seems like a good guy, has been good in the community, etc. Has he always said the perfect thing all the time? No, but he doesn't get any passes from the fans or media out to get him.

[Duke of Earl]

Exactly what this offseason has been "diva"?

Holding out this long, and wanting as much money as he does, that's enough for me. One, he has put a hold on free agent signings for many of the other free agents out there, who don't know what team they're going to end up with less than a week before spring training games start. Two, $300+M is going to put a strain on any team's budget leaving considerably less money for other players, in fact leaving a team unable to sign the players it wants.  I conclude he doesn't care about teammates, team, or winning.  Just himself.  Is that not a diva?

[HalfSmokes]

Two, $300+M is going to put a strain on any team's budget leaving considerably less money for other players, in fact leaving a team unable to sign the players it wants.  I conclude he doesn't care about teammates, team, or winning.  Just himself.  Is that not a diva?

So the owners get to artificially constrain budgets, but it’s the players who get the blame; gotta love sports fans

[NJ Ave]

Hustling out routine groundballs is one of the dumbest things in baseball.

[miller10]

Harper is doing his job and I am sure he is getting pressure from other players and the MLBPA to get as much money as possible.  I don't get why people blame him for that.  There are things about Harper that bug me (the stupid 'look at me' hair flip) but this isn't one of them.  Go get paid Bryce.  And if he ends up in Philly, I hope to hell they can't afford anyone else and Bryce gets to watch the Nats win the division year after year.

[Baseball is Life]

Holding out this long, and wanting as much money as he does, that's enough for me. One, he has put a hold on free agent signings for many of the other free agents out there, who don't know what team they're going to end up with less than a week before spring training games start. Two, $300+M is going to put a strain on any team's budget leaving considerably less money for other players, in fact leaving a team unable to sign the players it wants.  I conclude he doesn't care about teammates, team, or winning.  Just himself.  Is that not a diva?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting as much money as you can. It's the American way. The economics of baseball can't be blamed on him, too.

[Baseball is Life]

Harper is doing his job and I am sure he is getting pressure from other players and the MLBPA to get as much money as possible.  I don't get why people blame him for that.  There are things about Harper that bug me (the stupid 'look at me' hair flip) but this isn't one of them.  Go get paid Bryce.  And if he ends up in Philly, I hope to hell they can't afford anyone else and Bryce gets to watch the Nats win the division year after year.

The hair flip is comical if you take it for what it is. Would you feel about him any differently if he got a hair cut? Serious question.

[Slateman]

Holding out this long, and wanting as much money as he does, that's enough for me. One, he has put a hold on free agent signings for many of the other free agents out there, who don't know what team they're going to end up with less than a week before spring training games start. Two, $300+M is going to put a strain on any team's budget leaving considerably less money for other players, in fact leaving a team unable to sign the players it wants.  I conclude he doesn't care about teammates, team, or winning.  Just himself.  Is that not a diva?

That doesnt make him a diva. Trying to get the best deal doesnt make you a diva, particularly in a sport where free agency is intended to offset the poor wages prior to MLB service. Couple that with signing a ten year deal, and Harper has every right to take his time with the decision.

His contract sets a standard by which others will measure.

Honestly you come off as some sort of old curmudgeon that's upset that players are getting paid a stupid amount of money to play a game.

[Baseball is Life]

Hustling out routine groundballs is one of the dumbest things in baseball.

And just about no professional player does it. But when Harper doesn't do it and the fielder bobbles the ball, it's the lead on SportsCenter or something.

[Baseball is Life]

That doesnt make him a diva. Trying to get the best deal doesnt make you a diva, particularly in a sport where free agency is intended to offset the poor wages prior to MLB service. Couple that with signing a ten year deal, and Harper has every right to take his time with the decision.

His contract sets a standard by which others will measure.

Honestly you come off as some sort of old curmudgeon that's upset that players are getting paid a stupid amount of money to play a game.

I agree with every word that Slate wrote here. Yeah, I said that.

[miller10]

The hair flip is comical if you take it for what it is. Would you feel about him any differently if he got a hair cut? Serious question.

Strangely enough, yeah.  His making a habit of having his helmet come off on the base paths then making a show of flipping his hair rather annoys me.  If he had a different hair cut, it probably would annoy me less and make me think more of him.  Probably very unfair on my part but it is what it is.
Doesn't mean I think he is a clubhouse cancer and I would be thrilled if he resigned with us.