Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals is considered as one of the best players in the league today. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2018 season but he is reportedly looking for a record-breaking deal worth $400 million.
According to USA Today, Harper is looking for a 10-year, $400 million deal when he becomes a free agent at the conclusion of the 2018 season. It should be noted that Harper's agent is Scott Boras, who is notorious for getting huge deals for clients.
However, Boras told USA Today that the only discussion he is having with the Nationals is about Harper's salary for next season. The 24-year-old is arbitration eligible this season and he is looking for a salary increase.
"I have had no long-term discussions with the Nationals on Bryce. No terms, no offers discussed. Only arbitration-year discussions," Boras said.
The report also noted that the Nationals are going to move on from Bryce Harper towards the 2018 season. The free agent class for that offseason is considered as one of the best in recent years. Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson, Zach Britton and Matt Harvey will headline that class along with Harper.
The current record for the biggest deal in baseball is held by Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins. He signed a 13-year, $325 deal in 2014, eclipsing the deals given to Alex Rodriguez by the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers.
One of the possible suitors for Bryce Harper in the 2018 offseason is the New York Yankees, per Brendan Kuty of NJ.com. He pointed out that Harper is a Yankee fan growing up and his favorite player is Mickey Mantle.
However, the Yankees could be reluctant in giving the 2015 NL MVP a $400 million deal. He had a down year following his MVP season but if he rakes in the next two seasons, it is very possible that he gets what he wants in free agency.
