By Sam Bush
The Phillies fell all over themselves yesterday, wooing Manny Machado, the prized free agent shortstop, at Citizens Bank Park.
He would add immeasurably to the Phils offense and defense in 2019.
But so would the other big-ticket prize:
Bryce Harper, OF
2018 club: Washington Nationals.
Age: 26 (27 on Oct. 16, 2019).
Size: 6-3, 220.
Bats: Left.
Contract: Made $21.625 million on a one-year contract extension signed with Washington Nationals on May 13, 2017. (Avoided salary arbitration)
2018 stats: Nationals, .249 average, 550 AB, 103 runs, 137 hits, 34 doubles, 0 triples, 34 HR, 100 RBI, 130 BB, 169 K, 13 SB, 3 CS, .889 OPS, 159 games.
Career stats: .279 average, 3,306 AB, 610 runs, 922 hits, 183 doubles, 18 triples, 184 HR, 521 RBI, 585 BB, 834 K, 75 SB, 31 CS, .900 OPS, .927 games in seven seasons with Washington Nationals (2012-18).
Although the Nationals reportedly have implied that their reported 10-year, $300-million offer to Harper last September was their best, Jon Heyman of FanCred isn’t convinced this marriage is over. “I don’t think we’ve heard the last word from the Nats,” Heyman said in a live video. “They offered $300 million. I think they might get back in the ballgame.”
