Bryce Harper Nationals Dodgers
Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals reacts after hitting a single in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 13, 2016 in Washington, DC. Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Philadelphia Phillies have been viewed as the favorites in the Bryce Harper Sweepstakes for weeks, but doubts of the two sides coming to an agreement continue to grow as the outfielder remains unsigned. Now that the Los Angeles Dodgers have re-entered the race for MLB’s top free agent, Philadelphia might be having those same feelings.

According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, some members of the Phillies’ front office are “concerned” that Harper will sign with the Dodgers if L.A. comes close to matching Philadelphia’s offer. Of the six teams that have met with Harper this offseason, Los Angeles is considered to be Harper’s top choice.


The Dodgers seemed to drop out of the race for Harper earlier this winter because they only wanted to sign him to a short-term contract. The latest reports have indicated that the organization has not changed their stance on giving Harper a longer deal.

Harper has been looking to sign a deal that surpasses Giancarlo Stanton’s $325 million contract. It would be surprising to see him ink a deal that falls short of the 10-year, $300 million contract Manny Machado just received from the San Diego Padres.

Perhaps Los Angeles will increase their offer for Harper. Fancred’s Jon Heyman has reported that the Phillies aren’t the only team that is willing to pay the 26-year-old north of $300 million, though it’s unknown which exact suitor might have recently made Harper such an offer.

Los Angeles could present Harper with a deal that guarantees him less than $300 million but could ultimately be worth much more. That’s what the Chicago White Sox did in their pursuit of Machado.

Chicago’s reported offer was for eight years and $250 million guaranteed. Reaching 550 plate appearances in the eighth season would’ve triggered a $35 million option for a ninth year for Machado. The case would’ve been the same in order for Machado’s deal to extend to 10 years.

The San Francisco Giants are also in the mix for Harper, despite not reportedly matching Philadelphia’s offer. San Francisco entered the race for the outfielder a few weeks ago with hopes of signing him to a shorter deal with a high average salary.

Nolan Arenado reportedly agreed to an eight-year, $260 million deal with the Colorado Rockies Tuesday. The third baseman set a new record by earning an AAV of $32.5 million.

Harper would likely look to make at least $32.5 million per season if he signs a deal that lasts shorter than 10 years.

The Dodgers are currently below the $206 million luxury tax threshold. Signing Harper would put them well above that number for the 2019 MLB season.

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