Dodgers: The Bryce Harper Saga Finally Comes to a Close

On October 28, 2018, Manny Machado stood in the right-handed batter’s box of Dodger Stadium. Pitching to him was Chris Sale, striking him out was a slider.

It was the final pitch and the final out of the World Series. It was also the Dodgers’ second consecutive championship loss. But, for the team that was just reeling for small victories in the shadows of large losses, Bryce Harper’s impending free agency appeared to be an opportunity to bounce out of a pit of defeat.

The Dodgers opened the offseason as the favorites. They had the money, they had the roster spot and for a while, it felt like they had the desire. Harper joining a young and prominent Los Angeles team became the craze of the faithful.

The proximity to a deal was never all that close. The Dodgers lack of interest in long-term signings and Harper’s quest for a record-breaking deal turned two magnets once attracting into opposing forces.

The pushback was too much.

Harper branched out, the Phillies jumped atop the leader boards in the race and the mega free agent inched closer by day to The City of Brotherly Love.

Ultimately, it happened. Harper signed a massive deal, exactly what he was looking for, with the Phillies. The contract will keep him there for the next 13 years during which he is set to make $330 million, $25 million a year and a $20 million bonus just for signing on the dotted line.

To the naked eye, it is a match made in heaven. Harper wanted a sports-crazed city. He wanted a city he could retire in and a city that would embrace him to that very day. In Philadelphia, he got that.

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But, what may go undiscussed is just how valuable a short-term deal may have been.

Harper will be in Phillie until his retirement. He has made it clear in this contract that he is fully committed to the franchise. But, he had the same love for Washington until they started losing.

Harper was the hero of the Nation’s Capital. He was the fans’ hero and he was the team’s hero. But, when the needle once pointed north for the Nationals pivoted, doing a full 180 in a negative direction, Harper’s distaste for the team became clear.

He wanted out.

So, over the next 13 years, what is to say the Phillies will not head down that same tumultuous path. What will happen when the road gets rough and Harper wants no part of it. His contract is albatross and moving him will be no easy task.

For that, the Phillies could be dealing with a predicament down the line. For now, they have their star.

The Phillies’ lineup features Harper, Rhys Hoskin, JT Realmuto, Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura. The budding Atlanta Braves are second to that star power. The National League might be second to that star power.

No contract looks bad when it’s signed. Harper got what he deserved and he will help the Phillies get back to stardom for at least the next five to seven years.

Beyond that, it will remain to be seen just how good the deal is.

For now, Harper is Phillie, the Dodgers have no outfield superstar and the future of the NL could be changed for a long time to come.