Report: Bryce Harper asking for record deal worth more than $400 million
Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper has started talks for a contract extension but is asking for a record-breaking deal that will exceed 10 years in length and pay him more than $400 million, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Harper's agent, Scott Boras, says discussions have taken place for a one-year deal in 2017. Harper earned $5 million in 2016 and is eligible for salary arbitration.
The Nationals believe the difference in negotiations may be too big to overcome and could prepare to move on without him.
Harper will be 26 years old when he hits the free agent market. In his first five Major League seasons, he has 121 home runs and won the 2015 National League MVP award.
Next year's free agent class will include Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, center fielder Adam Jones and closer Zach Britton as well as Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen and New York Mets starter Matt Harvey.
Washington already has $87.4 million committed in salaries in 2019 with the large contracts of Cy Young award winner Maz Scherzer, starter Stephen Strasburg and infielder Ryan Zimmerman.
The Nationals are reportedly interested in trading for McCutchen as the Winter Meetings take place in Maryland this week.
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