Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper accepts one-year extension, avoids arbitration in 2018
The Washington Nationals and Bryce Harper have agreed to a one-year extension through 2018 for $21.625 million. It is the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player in history, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Because Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has been in the majors for six seasons, it is easy to forget that he is only 24 years old. In his first two seasons, he was a 4.0+ WAR player putting up slash lines of .270/.340/.477 and .274/.368/.486 in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
The 2015 season was a breakout year for Harper. He hit .330/.460/.649, knocked in 42 home runs and was worth 9.5 WAR. His performance earned him an MVP award that year. Unfortunately for Harper and the Nationals, the following season was less than stellar.
In 2016, Harper finished the season hitting .243/.373/.441. However, he did hit 24 home runs and stole 21 bases, making him one of only nine players to go 20-20, according to FanGraphs. Rumors flew around about an injury he might have been hiding, and a .198 ISO – his ability to hit for extra bases – indicated a decrease in power.
This season, Harper is ranked as one of the top two in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. In 154 plate appearances he is slashing .384/.500/.752. His batting average ranks second behind teammate Ryan Zimmerman by just .001. Harper leads the league in on-base percentage and he ranks second behind Zimmerman in slugging percentage.
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Even more telling of the year he is having, Bryce Harper currently leads the league in WAR. Right now he is worth 2.8 wins above replacement. Who is second to Harper? Perennially great Mike Trout with 2.5 WAR.
It is no surprise why the Nationals do not want an arbitration negotiation hanging over their star player and the front office this season. Harper's performance has led the team into first place in the NL East. At 24-13, the Nationals have the best record in the National League. They share a three-way tie for a league-best +56 run differential.
Harper will be a free agent after the 2018 season. The free agent class after that season will also include Manny Machado and potentially Clayton Kershaw. The signing of star players can drive Harper's price up further. In fact, he has indicated in the past that his contract could be worth up to $400 million. Dave Cameron at FanGraphs suggested it could be worth more than that, possibly in the $500 million range.
The Nationals at first seemed aghast at Harper's prediction of his own value. However, with a one-year guarantee set in place for next year only a month-and-a-half into the 2017 season, it is likely the Nationals will reconsider what their limit may be for what could be a franchise player.
