Bryce Harper Rumors: Why The San Francisco Giants Might Sign MLB Star, Beat Out Phillies, Dodgers

The San Francisco Giants continue to rise up the rankings of the Bryce Harper Sweepstakes. After becoming the sixth and final team to secure an in-person meeting with the outfielder and agent Scott Boras, San Francisco is one of just three suitors that have a real chance to sign MLB’s top free agent.

The latest report by NBC Bay Area could be an indication that the Giants should actually be considered the new favorites to land Harper. Giants CEO Larry Baer and president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi reportedly met with Harper Tuesday and had discussions about a 10-year contract.

The Philadelphia Phillies are thought to have the most lucrative contract on the table, but Harper seems to be looking for another team that will come close to their offer. The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly unwilling to make a decade-long commitment to the 26-year-old.

Then there’s the Giants: a more desirable option than the Phillies with a seemingly much better offer than the Dodgers.

San Francisco had seemed to be a bit of a long shot since they— like Los Angeles—were trying to sign Harper to a short-term deal. That appears to have changed, and it could be what ultimately puts the six-time All-Star in the Bay Area for years to come.

It’s not exactly shocking to hear that the Giants might be prepared to make Harper the highest-paid player in MLB history. Just one year ago they tried to trade for Giancarlo Stanton, who owns the record with a $325 million contract.

The Giants are usually among the biggest spenders in baseball. San Francisco spent over $205 million for MLB’s second-highest payroll in 2018. They had a top-six payroll in each of the previous four years. Five teams currently have a higher payroll than the Giants, who are well below the $206 million luxury tax threshold.

Maybe it would make sense for San Francisco to shed payroll and rebuild after two straight losing seasons. The Giants added a few big-name veterans to no avail last year, and they’ve averaged 77 wins per season since winning the 2014 World Series.

San Francisco has resisted the idea of conceding the 2019 season. The team didn’t trade Madison Bumgarner this offseason. A number of contenders would be interested in acquiring the starting pitcher, who only has one year left on his contract.

Harper is reportedly intrigued by the idea of becoming the face of one of the league’s most iconic franchises. He could succeed Barry Bonds as San Francisco’s next superstar player.

Harper hasn’t been shy about the fact that he likes the Bay Area. It’s one of the reasons why the Giants started the offseason among the betting favorites to sign Harper, even months before it was known that they had a significant interest in acquiring him.

The Dodgers and Phillies have a chance to knock the Giants out of the race, but San Francisco is very much alive with Harper unsigned a month before the start of the regular season.

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