Nationals extend Harper through 2018
WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper put up a big number Saturday without taking a swing.
Harper and the Washington Nationals reached a US$21,625,000 deal for the 2018 season, a contract that gives him a US$8 million raise and covers the slugging outfielder through his last year before he can become a free agent.
The 24-year-old Harper would have been eligible for salary arbitration next winter. The four-time all-star was the unanimous NL MVP in 2015.
“I think it’s huge,” Harper said hours before the Nationals hosted Philadelphia. “We’re able to go into the off-season and worry about different things. We’re able as a team and an organization to go out and not have to worry about me going into arbitration for another year or anything like that.”
Harper is making US$13,625,000 this season. After winning the MVP, Harper hit .243 with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs in 2016.
This season, he is hitting .372 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 31 games for the team with the best record in the National League.
“I think it shows the comfort level Bryce has with the organization and that we have with him,” Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said. “It does a lot of good things for us. It gives us cost-certainty going into the season next year, and next year’s payroll.
“I think most important, there’s a comfort level, a comfortable player that doesn’t have to worry about discussing a contract next year.”
Harper can also make US$1 million for winning the 2018 NL MVP, US$500,000 for finishing second in the voting, US$250,000 for third, US$150,000 for fourth and US$100,000 for fifth. He also would get US$100,000 each for being an all-star or winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger award.