Bryce Harper signed the largest free agent contract in MLB history back in 2019. Harper signed a 13-year $330 million deal, $5 million more than Giancarlo Stanton's $325 million contract.
This deal, unless traded, keeps Bryce and the Philadelphia Phillies together until his age-38 season, which is another eight seasons. However, agent Scott Boras said on Wednesday that Harper's looking to sign an extension with the club.
ESPN reported the following on Boras's comments.
"Bryce has certainly expressed to them that he wants to end his career in Philadelphia," Boras said. "I've certainly told [president of baseball operations] Dave [Dombrowski] I think Bryce is a franchise player. ... He came there for the fans. Apart from my advice, he goes, 'I just want to go and make sure I can recruit players in Philadelphia, let the fans in Philadelphia know that I'm going to be there for the duration, that I am committed.' I think he's been an important voice for them to attract major free agents."
As Harper now transitions to first base, there's a chance we could see him playing until his 40s. The 31-year-old showed no signs of slowing down in 2023 either. He posted a .293/.401/.499 slash line and hit 21 home runs. He played in just 126 games after recovering from Tommy John.
Harper has won an MVP and even taken Philadelphia to the World Series. Still, he has more goals to achieve, says Boras.
"He has a lot of goals that he wants to achieve in Philadelphia... I think he's changed the player community, how players view Philadelphia, and so consequently, he's come in and said, 'This is something I want off my mind. I want to play well beyond the contract that I have.'"
Bryce and the Phillies are a match made in heaven. Perhaps a new deal keeping him until his 40s can be the cherry on top.
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