Weird Timing: Bryce Harper’s agent Scott Boras says he wants a contract extension?

According to Bryce Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, the Phillies’ superstar player is looking for a contract extension to remain in Philadelphia for the rest of his professional baseball career.

Scott Boras told reporters Wednesday that Harper has made clear that he wants to remain with the Phillies forever and would be interested in working out a contract extension to ensure that happens.

Context: Harper is under contract through the 2031 MLB season. When he is a free agent, he’ll be 38 years old. If Harper wants to play professional baseball into his 40’s then yes, he will need a new contract.

Bryce Harper wants a Contract Extension…?

“Bryce has let me know that he wants to work out an extension so that he knows that he’s going to be there for the remainder of his career,” Boras said, via Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’ve certainly told [president of baseball operations] Dave [Dombrowski] that I think Bryce is a franchise player.”

Bryce, what are we doing here, bud? Typically, you are very well coordinated in what you release to the public. Everything is buttoned up and executed to perfection. Lots of how you love the Phillies and the fans here in Philly. Lots of family and praise for the organization. It’s great. I respect it and think you’re the best baseball player on the planet.

I do have to ask, Bryce – Is now really the time to be talking about contract extensions? What’s going on here? We don’t want to hear from Scott Boras. I’d like to hear directly from you on what you want so we can make that happen for you.

Unfortunately, I need to be honest here, I’m calling bullshit.

I would have to believe that Harper isn’t really looking to play baseball until he’s 40+ years old but rather wants his contract restructured to get more money. Instead of asking for more money, Harper is saying he’ll play until he’s what, 45 years old? This seems like a plot to keep his clean, favorable image amongst Phillies’ fans and the organization, right?

Why doesn’t Harper realize that he doesn’t have to do any of that, even more so with eight years remaining on his current contract?

Harper signed a 13 year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, including a $20 million signing bonus. What makes it even more sweet, that $330 million is fully guaranteed.

For those who suck at math, Harper’s contract carries an average annual value of $25.4 million. In 2024, Harper will earn a base salary of $26 million, while carrying a total salary of $27.5 million.

You would have to be a complete idiot to suggest that Bryce Harper isn’t worth every penny.

The timing is weird and hearing from Scott Boras is weird. I don’t like any of this and the fact that it’s happening while the Phillies and Dave Dombrowski specifically are on record saying that they are basically “running it back” in 2024 by not making a “big splash” this offseason, I would much rather just shelf this entire thing until at least 2026.

At the same time, give Bryce Harper whatever he wants. Who cares.

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