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Suitors are still on hold for free agent slugger Bryce Harper, but the Washington Nationals are done waiting.
“We’ve moved on,” said Mark Lerner, Nationals principal owner, in an interview with NBC Sports Washington.
With shortstop Manny Machado setting the marquee free agent market on a 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres, Harper’s signing could be imminent.
He turned down a $300 million offer from the Nationals, who tried to keep the homegrown MVP in September, and reportedly shook off several other teams who were in the same ballpark.
The Nationals were thought to be in the running along with the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Padres. But Lerner said the Nationals are no longer on hold.
“There was no way we could wait around. We filled out our roster. The door is cracked open a little bit, but … We really haven’t heard from them in a couple months,” Lerner said.
The Chicago White Sox, who missed out on Machado, reportedly also are out of the chase for Harper.
Harper, 26, has made six All-Star teams in his seven major league seasons, all with the Washington Nationals. He was the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2015 when he posted career highs with 42 homers, a .460 on-base percentage and a .649 slugging percentage — all league-best totals.
Last season, he hit .249 with a .393 on-base percentage, a .496 slugging percentage, 34 homers and a career-best 100 RBIs. He led the National League with 130 walks.
–Field Level Media