Free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. The former Washington Nationals star will earn $ 330 million over 13 years. Here's how to buy his new jersey.
Free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. The former Washington Nationals star will earn $ 330 million over 13 years. Here’s how to buy his new jersey:
Buy Bryce Harper’s Phillies jersey at Fanatics or MLB Shop
It took a long time and a lot of money, but the Philadelphia Phillies finally landed Harper with the largest deal in baseball history.
Harper’s agent, California-based Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to at 10:34 a.m. PST, subject to a successful physical.
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Phillies manager Gabe Kapler and his players learned of the agreement from fans behind Philadelphia’s dugout who saw media reports on their mobile devices during a spring training game in Clearwater, Florida.
“If the reports are true, it’s a huge moment for our baseball team,” Kapler said. “Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning.”
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A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $ 325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo Stanton reached before the 2015 season with the Miami Marlins.
“Harp’s goal was he wanted the largest contract and he wanted his value,” Boras said. “He wanted the largest length he could get because he really wanted to stay in one city and one uniform, wanted to get a ballpark he hit well in, saw the ball well.”
Harper has a .279 career average with 184 homers and 521 RBIs, including a .268 average with 14 homers, 32 RBIs and a .930 OPS in 47 games at Citizens Bank Park. He likely would hit third or fourth, according to Kapler.
“We get a whole lot better on the field,” the manager said. “Bryce Harper is a sensational teammate.”
(The AP contributed to this report.)