The Washington Nationals made an offer to Bryce Harper late in the season in an attempt to reach a deal before he became a free agent.
At the general managers’ meetings on Tuesday, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo disclosed the team’s talks with Harper’s agent, Scott Boras.
“We’ve had conversations and we utilized our exclusivity to negotiate with him late in the season through when he became eligible to sign with a team,” Rizzo said. “We didn’t get anything done, but he’s a guy that is near and dear to us and we are not closing any doors.”
The “aggressive offer” — discussed at length throughout September with Harper and Boras — included no opt-outs and was less than the $400 million it was speculated Harper could receive, The Washington Post reported.
Harper, who turned 26 last month, is expected to receive the largest contract among the 164 free agents. He is a six-time All-Star with 184 homers, 521 RBIs and a .900 OPS.
Harper was dressed in his full Nats uniform more than 3½ hours before the team’s final home game in September and was unsure of his future.
Boras is known for extending talks with his free agents past the holiday break. Maybe his following the Phillies players is a real sign.
Bryce Harper Following Athletes from Philadelphia Means He'll Definitely be Signing with the Phillies https://t.co/WpIvOmsfXR
— SportsGossip.com (@sportsgossip) November 6, 2018