The money it is going to take the Phillies to sign Bryce Harper is coming into focus -- and a deal might be close.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Harper will receive a 10-year deal worth more than $300 million when he does sign, and it sounds like it is going to be with the Phillies.
Bryce Harper, who has been waiting for someone to meet his price, appears to have found that team in the #Phillies. There is no deal yet but he will ultimately receive more than the 10-year, $300 million contract he turned down from the #Nats in September.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 17, 2019Nightengale's report comes on the same day multiple reports suggested that talks between the Phillies and Harper was getting serious, and one day after Jim Bowden of The Athletic said this CBS Sports:
"I keep hearing there's a lot of momentum and traction on him signing with the Philadelphia Phillies. He could be rounding third and heading home shortly. I am hearing they are well down the process...I keep hearing their could be momentum there in Philly. I think Harper is ready to go. I don't think he is going to sign a short-term deal. That is what the San Francisco Giants offered him...every indication I get is he is going to get at least 10 years and more $300 million. That has not changed."
The strong report from Bowden also came the heels of Chris Russell from 106.7 The Fan in Washington D.C. stating he believes Harper has made up his mind on where he will sign.
"Bryce and his representatives, (Scott) Boras, his people, his wife Kayla, they've been meeting since Monday morning in Vegas," Russell said on 94WIP this week. "Bryce originally wanted this done, when it took this long, by Valentine's Day. Obviously, the contract has not been announced, signed, whatever...But I'm lead to believe by the people that I've talked to that are close to the situation—and I have, again, a real good source that has helped me through this process, let's just leave it at that...Bryce was in a mood to celebrate yesterday. Now, the source said, 'I believe it's done.' I don't have concrete, 100 percent proof for you guys. I wish I did, otherwise I would have it and I would be running around with it. But I don't have that, so I want to caution everybody in Philadelphia. But that's what I was lead to believe, that this thing is now decided."
The money is known. The decision is reportedly made. The Phillies are the favorites.
Now, all the fans are waiting for appears to be final word the deal is done.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
