Because the saga still, somehow, has not ended, it is clear Bryce Harper has not found the offer that makes him happy.
So, the Dodgers hope, maybe Harper can be the least unhappy with them.
Los Angeles met with the free-agent star this weekend in Las Vegas, MLB.com first reported, and is trying to sell a shorter-term deal to the outfielder, who just watched his on-the-market challenger, Manny Machado, accept a 10-year, $300 million deal from the Padres. Dodgers officials, including manager Dave Roberts, were seen in Las Vegas on Sunday.
There are records Harper would like to break beyond Machado’s total: $325 million, for the richest contract ever (Giancarlo Stanton) and $34.42 million per season, the highest average annual payout (Zack Greinke). It’s the latter that the Dodgers likely would be willing to break with Harper — who, according to ESPN, has shown no inclination he would be willing to take an offer that does not lock him down for a very long time.
Harper already has turned down a 10-year, $300 million offer from the Nationals, who have all but said they are out of the running for the six-time All-Star who has spent his seven major league seasons with Washington. The Phillies have long been viewed as the front-runners and reportedly are still confident they will wind up with the 26-year-old. Phillies owner John Middleton pledged to spend “stupid” money this offseason, and they are prepared with the long-term offer that is more what Harper is seeking.
Other teams that have at least met with Harper are the Giants, White Sox and Padres, who are probably out of the running after Machado’s millions. Perhaps Harper’s camp can leverage the Dodgers’ interest into a few extra million from the Phillies. Or perhaps Harper wants to be a bigger-market superstar, even for a smaller amount of time.
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