Nationals rumors: Bryce Harper 2019 free agency value over $400 million?
By Jared Wolfe
The 2018 free agent market is moving slowly, but could this hamper the notable 2019 free agents next season as Nationals rumors on Bryce Harper seeking 400+ million dollars?
This off-season has more notable trades than free agent signings. A couple of big trades include the fire sale of the Miami Marlins Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees and also Marcell Ozuna to the St. Louis Cardinals. Washington Nationals rumors have been slow so far with free agency, especially for hitters, has been very quiet.
Arguably the biggest names to come off the free agent hitters list includes Carlos Santana, Mitch Moreland, and Yonder Alonso.
There are still huge names on the board still like: J.D Martinez, Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Jay Bruce to names a few. There are plenty more even after that.
The only area of free agency that has made some movement is the reliever market. This is a new era of baseball as we saw the last couple postseasons with how talented the bullpen is with teams.
Players already signed include Joe Smith (Astros), Brandon Morrow (Cubs), Bryan Shaw (Rockies), Hector Rondon (Astros), Luke Gregerson (Cardinals), Pat Neshek (Phillies), Brandon Kintzler (Nationals), and Wade Davis (Rockies).
The Starting pitcher market is another area that has been slow to develop in the free agent market though. Names like Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn, and Jeremy Hellickson remain to be signed.
The question I ask how bad this market has been for players is what happens next off-season when a big-time player like Bryce Harper becomes a free agent?