Bryce Harper ‘remains open‘ to a reworked contract
When Scott Boras speaks, the baseball world listens. Boras has a way with words. When he talks, it can be must-listen content sometimes. The most recognizable agent in sports showed off his word skills on Wednesday when speaking with reporters, including Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, at the GM Meetings in San Antonio.
When discussing Pete Alonso’s market this offseason, Boras said, “We hear a lot about the bear market for power-hitting first baseman. For Pete’s sake, it’s the polar opposite.”
Clever.
Boras represents a lot of star players. Some are currently free agents. Including Alonso, Boras represents Alex Bregman, Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes and a few others. His highest profile client right now is Juan Soto, who Boras indicated might be seeking a contract worth more than the $700 million deal Shohei Ohtani signed last winter.
When speaking on Wednesday, Boras also threw in a tidbit about Bryce Harper, who, in 2025, will be entering Year 7 of his 13-year pact with the Phillies. Per Boras, Harper is still open to adding to his deal with Philadelphia.
Harper has hinted at wanting to renegotiate his contract in the past. It was talked about in the media last offseason. Boras publicly mentioned it a few times, too. Back in February, Harper himself talked about the idea (again).
Harper’s current deal doesn’t include an opt-out. He didn’t want one. Harper wanted to make sure that whichever franchise he ended up signing with before the 2019 season knew where his priorities landed; Harper wanted to stay and help build a winning organization no matter what. But not having an opt-out gives him very little leverage in potential talks to rework his contract.
While he may not have a lot, Harper does have some leverage. The two-time NL MVP has lived up to his $330-million deal. In six seasons with the Phillies, Harper has hit .285/.391/.533, good enough for a 149 OPS+ — a higher mark than when he was with the Nationals (139).
On top of his impressive regular-season production, Harper’s postseason numbers as a Phillie are astounding. In 34 playoff games with Philadelphia, Harper has a .325/.444/.709 slash line. Among hitters with at least 50 plate appearances over the last three postseasons, Harper’s 1.153 OPS ranks first.
Harper has mentioned wanting to play into his mid-40s. His current contract expires after his age-38 season. So any restructure of his deal would likely come in the form of an extension. Whether or not the Phillies are interested in an extension is unknown. Most chatter on the topic, which continued Wednesday, has only come from the player and his agent.
Must-read Phillies content
- Phillies Nation’s Ty Daubert has the latest on Jeff Hoffman’s free agency, which includes clubs having interest in the idea of turning the right-hander back into a starting pitcher.
- ICYMI: The Phillies made a flurry of roster moves on Monday evening. Phillies Nation’s Destiny Lugardo has all the details.
- Also regarding some moves from Monday, our own Nathan Ackerman takes a look at what the day’s qualifying offer decisions might mean to the Phillies.
- With the offseason officially underway, rumors have started to swirl. Keep track of all the Phillies-related rumors right here on Phillies Nation.
MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION
- Key Phillies Offseason Dates To Know
- Tim Kelly: Thank You, Phillies Nation!
- MLB Apparently Called The Phillies Over Bryce Harper’s Opening Day Cleats In 2019
- Would The Phillies Meet These Predicted Price Tags For Two Free-Agent Relievers?
- Report: Phillies Expected To “Strongly” Pursue Juan Soto
- Dave Dombrowski Comments On 2025 Payroll
- Juan Soto’s ‘Bedlam At The Bank’ Moment Should Make The Idea Of Signing Him Even More Enticing
- Jeff Hoffman, Carlos Estevez Head Into Free Agency After Disastrous Postseasons
- Rob Thomson Says Offseason Communication With Alec Bohm Is ‘Priority Of Mine’
- Phillies To Bring Back Kevin Long, Hope Better Offensive Approach Works