Phillies Exploring Contract Extension With Superstar

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper has made no secret of his affection for the city of Philadelphia, and the city has reciprocated in kind as he’s attended Eagles and Flyers games with his family.

USA Today explored that relationship in October. Nothing has changed, except that the Phillies want to make absolutely sure that Harper doesn’t play for anyone else.

So on Sunday, the same publication reported that the Phillies and Harper are discussing a contract extension that would go past his current deal, which ends in 2031.

Harper’s current deal was a 13-year contract that takes him to his age 38 season. He will be paid $26 million per year from 2024-28, followed by three more seasons in which he will make $22 million.

Per spotrac.com, the contract doesn’t feature any deferred money, though it has a no-trade clause, which is standard for a player of Harper’s caliber.

But, the market has also changed since Harper signed the deal before the 2019 season. Back then, he signed one of the richest deals in baseball, worth $330 million. By that standard, Harper’s contract is still in the Top 10. It’s seventh in overall value, but Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has set the market at $426.5 million.

Plus the market is about to change once Shohei Ohtani signs his contract, a deal that most believe will be north of $500 million.

Based on that — and the fact that Harper is a client of baseball’s most powerful agent, Scott Boras — the time might be ripe for an adjustment.

But, it’s unlikely Harper will give the Phillies a hometown discount. The report indicates that Harper is looking to improve on his current per-year salary.

Since Harper arrived in Philly he’s won another MVP, two more Silver Sluggers and made another All-Star team. With 306 career home runs and good health for the remainder of his career, he could join the small collection of players with at least 500 home runs, which includes Phillies legend Mike Schmidt.

Harper is now expected to be the Phillies’ first baseman after his impressive recovery from Tommy John surgery last offseason. That move would lessen the wear and tear as he enters his age 31 seasons.

Despite his injury rehab, he played in 126 games, slashed .293/.401/.499/.900 with 21 home runs and 72 RBI and helped the Phillies reach the NLCS.