Remember just last week when the San Diego Padres signed Manny Machado to a 10 year, $300 million contract, making it the biggest free agent contract in American sports history? Boy, was that record short lived.
Free agent outfielder Bryce Harper has finally made his decision and it looks like he’ll be sticking around on the east coast. The 26 year old All Star and former MVP has agreed to a 13 year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. This contract beats Giancarlo Stanton’s 2014 extension with the Miami Marlins which was 13 years, $325 million.
Now, for those who have been reading our work here on the End of the Bench, you’ll recall my breakdown of how either Harper and Machado fit the Philly mold to a T. Both would have filled in needs in the OF or at SS. Then, once the Phillies traded for Jean Segura, it pretty much kicked the door wide open for them to land Harper. It took them long enough to do it but it is now done. The two biggest names of the offseason are now off the board with two of the biggest contracts in sports history.
Now, does this Harper signing immediately put the Phillies as the clear favorites of winning the NL East and beyond? Well, over the next several weeks just prior to the start of the regular season, the End of the Bench will be releasing our division by division breakdown, predicting just how each teams roster will look like and where we believe they will be in the standings come season end. Be sure to stay tuned!
How can you not be romantic about baseball?
