Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is the reigning NL MVP. There has already been talk about the slugger signing his next contract even though he won't become a free agent until after the 2018 season. He's apparently aiming high in those endeavors despite it being three years away.
Many have speculated Harper could land a $400 million contract. Others went as far to suggest he could be the first $500 million contract in American sports history. When asked about being worth over $400 million, Harper had an interesting response for reporters.
"Yeah, I mean, I don't really think about that stuff," Harper said in a radio interview with 106.7 The Fan's Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier. "I just try to play the years out and do everything I can to help my team win. But don't sell me short. That's what you're doing right now to me, so don't do that.
"... I'm looking forward to just playing this year, just looking forward to playing the next couple years. And I think all that stuff will play out."
That $400 million figure doesn't seem to be enough for the 23-year-old.
Harper became the youngest unanimous MVP in MLB history following the 2015 season. The slugger hit .330/.460/.649 with 118 runs scored (led NL), 42 home runs (led NL) and 99 RBI in 153 games last season. It was his fourth year in the MLB and the first time he played over 139 games after being severely limited in 2013 and 2014 due to multiple injuries.
While nobody will relent in their discussion about Harper becoming the highest paid MLB player of all-time once he's eligible for free agency, one must not forget he'll have to sustain his health and success in order to receive such a deal.
He played in just 218 games from 2013-2014 and hit .273 with 112 runs scored, 33 home runs and 90 RBI, which definitely does not constitute a $400 million contract. He also accumulated a -0.8 dWAR over that span.
However, he did capture the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2012 after batting .270/.340/.477 with 98 runs scored, 22 home runs, 59 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 139 games as a 19-year-old.
If Harper can stay healthy and continue to produce at a high level on the offensive side of the ball, he'll certainly command a deal in the $400 million range. But that remains to be seen, and a lot can change over the next three years.
