Harper more than doubles salary

Nats outfielder will get $13.6M after earning $5M in ’16.

Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals agreed to a $13.6 million contract for 2017, avoiding arbitration and more than doubling the outfielder’s salary two years before he can become a free agent for the first time.

Harper was paid $5 million by the Nationals last season, when he struggled with injuries and took a big step back after becoming the youngest unanimous MVP in baseball history in 2015.

He hit only .243 with 24 homers and 86 RBIs in 2016, significant drop offs from the .330, 42 and 99 of a year earlier.

Still only 24, Harper is already a four-time All-Star and he was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2012.

The Nationals also reached one-year deals with their three other arbitration-eligible players on Friday, the day players and teams were to exchange proposed salary figures ahead of hearings.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon will earn $5.8 million next season, right-hander Tanner Roark gets $4.3 million and new catcher Derek Norris agreed to $4.2 million.

Cubs: Ace right-hander Jake Arrieta agreed to a $15,637,500, one-year deal. Right-handed relievers Hector Rondon and Justin Grimm also got one-year deals.

Rockies: Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado agreed to a $29.5 million, two-year contract.

Royals: All-Star first baseman Eric Hosmer agreed on a $12.25 million contract.

White Sox: Third baseman Todd Frazier agreed to a $12 million, one-year contract. The White Sox also reached a $5.9 million deal with right-hander Miguel Gonzalez. Orioles: Infielder Manny Machado ($11.5 million) and closer Zach Britton ($11.4 million) agreed to one-year deals. Starter Chris Tillman also settled at $10.05 million.

Astros: Dallas Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, agreed to a $9.15 million, one-year contract.

Yankees: Right-hander Michael Pineda ($7.4 million) and shortstop Didi Gregorius ($5.1 million) agreed to one-year contracts.

Mets: First baseman Lucas Duda agreed to a $7.25 million, one-year contract.

Marlins: All-Star closer A.J. Ramos agreed to a $6.55 million, one-year contract. Also, right-hander Tom Koehler received a $5.75 million deal and infielder Derek Dietrich will earn $1.7 million.

Angels: Right fielder Kole Calhoun ($6.35 million), new second baseman Danny Espinosa ($5.4 million) and righthanders Garrett Richards ($6.85 million) and Matt Shoemaker ($3.3 million) all agreed to one-year deals.

Cardinals: Reliever Trevor Rosenthal agreed to a $6.4 million, one-year contract.

Red Sox: Shortstop Xander Bogaerts to a $4.5 million salary and outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to $3.6 million in one-year deals.

ALEX BRANDON / AP Bryce Harper, who became the youngest unanimous MVP in MLB history in 2015, can become a free agent for the first time in two years.