One major free agent for 2019’s Phillies
By Tal Venada
Other choices:
In ’19, Kershaw will be 31 if he opts out of his contract with two summers remaining. And since he’s making $33 million for the upcoming 162, he’ll probably receive $40 million apiece for five seasons or $250 million for seven years.
Representing the southpaw is agent J.D. Smart of Excel Sports Management. Yes, the same representative negotiated the lefty’s 2014 deal for $215 million over seven summers. Bingo!
If the face of the franchise is a free agent, a team will get under the luxury-tax threshold of $197 million now for him to re-up next year. And, then, the front office can exceed that limit in 2019.
As for Harper, he’s 25, and a 10-campaign offer will be Boras’ goal, but the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles still have their monetary dispute over television rights and revenue. However, Boras engineered the agreement with half of the $210 million deferred with Washington for Max Scherzer. A wrinkle!
Boras may have New York (AL) and Philadelphia in the bidding for the youngest star of the three. On the other hand, Boras and the Nationals have a good working relationship.
For the division-rival Nats, losing Harper will affect their offense because his 2017 numbers were .319 with 29 home runs and 87 RBIs. How do they replace his production? Ergo, expect a fight to retain Harper!