Phillies rumors: Bryce Harper race down to two teams
More Phillies rumors regarding the future of Bryce Harper are coming out
As the Phillies report to Clearwater for Spring Training, latest Phillies rumors circling the club continue to focus on Bryce Harper.
After reports of Harper meeting with the San Francisco Giants arose, USA Today’s insider Bob Nightengale went on 680 KNBR in the Bay Area to talk about the potential pairing of Harper and San Francisco.
In that conversation, Nightengale, who predicted in the fall Harper would sign with Philadelphia, that the race for Harper is down to two teams: San Francisco and Philadelphia.
“Right now I really do think it’s the Giants and the Phillies. It’s a two-team race here.”
Nightengale also added that Harper’s former team, the Washington Nationals “are definitely out of it.”
San Francisco is coming off two of their worst seasons in a decade, but they improved to win 73 games last year. The Giants are hampered by large contracts handed out to pitchers Jeff Samardzija, Johnny Cueto, and Mark Melancon, who are owed a combined $140 million through the remainder of their contracts.
On the flip side, San Francisco is a 90-minute flight to Harper’s hometown of Las Vegas, and the beautiful ballpark averaged 39,000 fans last year.
Nightengale said Harper’s decision will ultimately come down to the all-mighty dollar.
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“With the Giants moving in and all the optimism, I do believe it’s a coin flip. I think for the Phillies to get Harper, they’re going to have to grossly outbid the Giants to get him, I really do.I think if it’s close he goes to San Francisco, if there’s a huge gap, it’s tough to walk away from that kind of money.”
Additionally, Harper is said to not be interested in a short-term deal, something the Giants might be interested in.
The Dodgers, Padres, White Sox, Yankees, and Cubs have also been linked to Harper this offseason.
dark. Next. Domino effect of signing Bryce Harper
Take from all of this what you will. Nightengale has been on top of the Harper story since the offseason began and he’s one of the best insiders in baseball.