Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Free Agency: Players who could rebuild their value with one-year deals

By Joey Brasch

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning of a game at Coors Field on September 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning of a game at Coors Field on September 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
MLB free agency
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 30: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals warms up in the on deck circle before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper‘s free agency has been a topic of discussion for years. Particularly after his monstrous 2015 campaign, Harper looked poised to make a boatload of money as a rare 26-year-old free agent. However, Harper has not lived up to the lofty standards of his 2015 season, although he has still been a very good player.

Nevertheless, MLB Trade Rumors projects Harper to receive a record-breaking 14-year/$420 million deal, which would make it seem a bit crazy to take a one-year deal instead. But there is good reason to believe that Harper will not get that amount this offseason following a down-season by the lofty standards he has set for himself.

By wRC+, Fangraphs’ all-encompassing park-adjusted offensive stat, Harper was the 17th-best hitter in baseball, which is certainly good, but nowhere near the player that we all know he can be. There have also been some questions about Harper’s defense that could also be a hindrance for teams looking to sign him to a long-term deal this offseason.

Harper’s young age could also be in his favor if he decides to sign a one-year deal, as he is a long way from his decline phase so he should not have to worry about a steep decline in 2019. Harper could possibly sign a $40 million deal for 2019, and if he were able to put up a season anything close to his 2015 MVP season, it’s likely that he would be able to break the $500 million threshold after next season.

Home/MLB News