Bryce Harper, a National League MVP at 23, is a free agent at 26, peddling his services in an industry that’s grown to nearly $11 billion in annual revenues. His combination of skills, age and marketing cachet make him an excellent fit for any major league franchise.
Including the Atlanta Braves.
Harper rejected a 10-year, $300 million contract offer from the Washington Nationals in September, and is a good bet to set a new standard for the most lucrative contract in North American sports history.
It may take weeks for that process to play out. In the meantime, USA TODAY Sports will examine why every team could use Harper’s services – some more than others, certainly some better-equipped to procure them.
A case for Harper and the Braves joining forces:
On the field
In an era of “windows” and franchises closely monitoring their “win curves,” it’s refreshing when a team knocks down the door and tells the front office, “We’re ready.”
That was the Braves in 2018, shrugging off the service-time suppression of Ronald Acuña Jr. to win 90 games and the National League East over Harper’s Nationals.
Now, they have a rare mix of established but still viable veterans and emerging stars. And dropping Harper into a lineup bracketed by Rookie of the Year Acuña and three-time All-Star Freddie Freeman (he of the .875 lifetime OPS) is, well, it’s what you want.
The vacancy is natural: Right fielder Nick Markakis is a free agent. Harper could stroll right into SunTrust Park and set up shop for the next decade-plus, flanked for the next two seasons by Ender Inciarte in center field and across the way from left fielder Acuña for the next six.
Freeman, still just 29, also is signed through the next two seasons. The middle-infield combo of Dansby Swanson and Ozzie Albies are under control for four and five more seasons, respectively.
In short: The Braves would have a devastating, well-balanced and athletic core for the next two seasons, and a sustainable one far beyond that.
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