A three-year opt-out clause shouldn't hold up a deal between the Phillies and Bryce Harper.
Welcome to Day 117 of the Bryce Harper sweepstakes!
As with many days leading up to this point, Day 116 provided a twist: Light shed into the negotiations, including what could be causing the hold up.
According to 94WIP’s Angelo Cataldi, the reason a 10-year, $ 330M deal hasn’t been finalized between Harper and the Phillies: An opt-out clause after three years.
Phillies are in a staredown with agent Scott Boras over Bryce Harper’s demand for a three-year opt-out in the 10-year, $ 330-million deal. What do you say, Philadelphia? Should the Phillies say yes?
— Angelo Cataldi (@AngeloCataldi) February 26, 2019
That thought was backed up by USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale after Colorado’s Nolan Arenado agreed to a long-term deal with an opt-out after year three.
Certainly, Nolan Arenado’s opt-out clause after three years may pave the way for the #Phillies to provide opt-out after 2021 to Bryce Harper, which has been one of the sticking points in negotiations.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 26, 2019
If this is truly the hang up, it’s silly for three reasons.
Cost of business
J.D. Martinez garnered two opt-outs from the Boston Red Sox. David Price and Jason Heyward had opt-outs in their long-term deals. Alex Rodriguez had an opt-out in his original record-setting deal. Giancarlo Stanton has an opt-out in his current $ 325M pact. Manny Machado just negotiated an opt-out in his deal with the Padres. This is how deals work in the 21st century.
Team benefit
If the Phillies give Harper the deal and opt-out, it’ll be viewed as a win for the agent and player. All risk, no reward for the team. But that’s not a totally fair characterization. Harper could give the Phillies the best three years of his prime, then choose to opt-out. With more time, knowledge and data on the player, the Phillies could then choose to check out of the relationship or dive back in with a new contract offer.
Three is better than zero
This is where the Harper saga becomes a zero-sum game. Three years of Harper (even if he walks after the 2021 season) is better than zero at-bats from this player in a Phillies uniform. If this is a deal breaker, the Phillies have to give in.
Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.