
At Cubs spring training, players expressed their support for Harper and his big payday.
"We all saw this coming," said Kris Bryant, a good friend of Harper's. "I don't think there is that much to be surprised about -- good for him. I am super pumped for him."
Bryant and the other top players in baseball have long understood that Harper's new deal would be a barometer for their future contracts.
"I know he is super relieved that it is over and he can go play baseball now," Bryant said. "I will let all of this settle down before I reach out to him. I know it been super crazy for him. Pretty cool to see this finally happen."
Harper's deal came after Nolan Arenado reached a new eight-year, $260-million deal with the Rockies and Manny Machado signed a 10-year, $300-million contract with the Padres. Those deals came amid an offseason that featured a slow-developing free-agent market and tension between owners and the players' union.
For players, the contracts were welcomes sights to see.
"All three of these contracts are really nice," Anthony Rizzo said. "Bryce, Nolan and Manny are franchise players. What they do on and off the field, what they bring to a city and team is fantastic. If I am any of the Phillies, I am pumped up by ownership's statement to win in this window.
"As a player, it's a good feeling. We have had that feeling here, and it will definitely jump-start them."
As for the 13-year commitment between Harper and the Phillies?
"It's great," Rizzo said. "I think Bryce has this idea, body willing, timeline of when he wants to play until. He loves to play, and the no-trade and (no) opt-out clauses show a total commitment of both sides. I love that. The fans should love that."
Bryant had a similar take on the length of the deal.
"It is up to each player what they want," Bryant said. "They have thought this out or they would not have signed it. Obviously, that is what Bryce wanted. I am happy he got what he wanted. I think he deserves it. He is one of the brightest stars in the game. He has dealt with all the hype and external energy around him so well. It is nice to see him get what he deserves."
Rizzo believes the game is flush with revenues for all involved.
"There is money out there, that is for sure," he said. "You see the Padres and Rockies making these signings. Both markets, two years in a row, signing players to big deals. That is exciting for players like Kris and myself who are a couple of years away from hopefully diving into some money like that."