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.
Even the New York Mets.
Harper, who has 184 career home runs and a lifetime .900 OPS, 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 Mets joining forces:
On the field
If you’re wondering how the Mets might find room for Harper in a crowded outfield, consider this: They’re currently going through all sorts of gymnastics to possibly add a 36-year-old second baseman coming off a PED suspension who’s due $24 million each of the next five seasons.
So yes, if they can forge a path to Robinson Cano, they can certainly find room for Harper.
For now, a simple trade of Jay Bruce would clear right field – and even if a suitable home can’t be found for him now, the affable slugger could still hold down first base until that time comes.
Yoenis Cespedes? Well, assuming he makes a second-half return from heel surgeries, there’s suddenly barely more than a year left on his deal.
No, signing Harper – say, for 12 years and $420 million – would create bite-sized roster headaches in the near term. Those could be far outweighed by having a potential Hall of Fame anchor for an emerging lineup.
Largely lost in the Mets’ grim 2018 season was the breakout performance of outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who finally stayed healthy and, over 140 games, produced an absurd .404 on-base percentage, an .886 OPS and 150 OPS-plus.
Now, imagine slotting Nimmo’s skills in front of Harper’s NL-leading 130 walks and lifetime .388 OBP. That’s as close to instant offense as you’ll get in this game.
In this universe, the Mets’ offense would lean far too left-handed, but relief could be coming – immediately if Todd Frazier finds any of his old self in his final year under contract. Power-hitting prospect Peter Alonso could be up before May 1, or whenever the Mets have sufficiently hosed him out of one year service time.
In a game that keeps skewing younger, Harper, Nimmo, Alonso, Michael Conforto and the great Jeff McNeil would give the Mets five impact hitters 26 or younger to build around. If shortstop Amed Rosario develops into a player, all the better.
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