Breaking News: “I Will Die Wearing The Phillies Jersey” Philadelphia Phillies Legend Pledges Lifetime Commitment To The Phillies As He Signs Lifetime Contract.

Bryce Harper says he wants to die wearing a Phillies jersey.

Harper’s intention is evident, as awkward as that may sound—especially since the new uniform pants no longer fit—he wants to stay a Phillie for the rest of his life.

Harper, 31, and the Fightins have been a match made in heaven since he agreed to a massive 13-year, $330 million free-agent deal in March 2019. The Harper-Fightins combination has produced two consecutive postseason appearances, a 2022 NL Championship, the 2021 NL MVP award, an adjusted OPS that is 49% better than league average, and the successful acquisition of other well-established big-league stars.

It is therefore surprising that Harper is hankering after an extension, even if he has eight years and over $200 million remaining on his deal.

Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, stated that his client wants to “end his career in Philadelphia” and “play well beyond the contract he has” during the winter meetings in December. Harper reaffirmed his desire to “play into his 40s” to the media last week, addressing Yahoo Sports among others. Under his current deal, he will play through his 38th season.

Harper seems strangely lustful for a contract extension on the surface.

With opt-outs, Harper’s deal is the longest of only eight active players: Manny Machado, Mookie Betts, Rafael Devers, Trea Turner, Shohei Ohtani, and Austin Riley. Just to put things in perspective, if the Milwaukee Brewers choose not to pick up Harper’s 2032 team option, Jackson Chourio, the team’s unproven teenage sensation who signed a historic eight-year contract over the winter, will also be eligible for free agency.

Furthermore, Harper lacks the power to significantly alter his contract because his agreement does not include opt-outs, which he rejected in order to emphasize his dedication to the Phillies franchise. The Phillies have no reason to give Harper more years and money besides not wanting to irritate the face of their team.

In the summer, President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski told Matt Gelb of The Athletic, “I don’t want to just brush it off by any means.” “Welcome to the process of thinking, he.”

So why is Harper making waves when it seems unlikely that there will be an extension anytime soon? So far, the discussion has been amicable, but why take a chance on conflict? Harper has a great setting in Philadelphia. He is loved by the city. He is surrounded by close friends and the team is loaded after winning the playoffs two straight seasons. A World Series trophy is the only item that is lacking.
It’s all because Harper is ridiculously underpaid compared to MLB standards. After the Phillies win Game 5 of the 2022 NLCS to advance to the World Series, owner John Middleton freely acknowledged as much to Harper.

With a salary of $25,384,615 for 2024, Harper is only paid 29th in MLB, behind less successful players like Carlos Rodón, Tyler Glasnow, and Kris Bryant. Since Harper joined the Phillies in 2019, the market has expanded, making Harper’s deal appear to be a good value. Boras supported the opt-outs that would have given Harper the opportunity to rework his contract because he was aware that this might occur.

For background, opt-out clauses are frequently incorporated into long-term contracts by agents and players, not because the latter want to play elsewhere but rather because the former gives them leverage during renegotiations. The same winter that Harper signed his Phillies contract, Manny Machado signed his initial contract with the San Diego Padres. That contract included an opt-out, which he and his agent used to seal an 11-year, $350 million agreement with the Padres last winter. Another Boras client, Yankees ace Gerritt Cole, has an opt-out at the end of the current campaign, which he probably will utilize to negotiate a better deal.

Harper, however, was adamant about winning and felt that refusing opt-outs was an essential component of the solution. He believed that other elite players would follow him if he demonstrated to the NBA his commitment to Philadelphia. And that’s precisely what took place. Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, and Kyle Schwarber are just a few of the free agents that Philadelphia has attracted to the team thanks to Harper’s endless excitement and a large amount of owner John Middleton’s money.

Harper has persisted in advocating for others around him even while he stands up for himself.

“I know there are other guys to look after, right?” he questioned. “I know this is a big one for us right now—Zack Wheeler, the upcoming free agent ace.”

Bryce Harper wants to be a Phillie for life.

Beyond the field, Harper has won over the hearts of Philadelphia sports fans with his complete dedication to the city and team. There are Bryce-named babies, tattoos, and murals. With his revitalization of the team and return to prominence, he has ushered in a thrilling new era for Phillies baseball.

Harper now wants that favor and recompense for his loyalty. This is more about respect than it is about money. However, there’s not much reason to anticipate something significant anytime soon.

Harper is a figure who has often defied expectations, so it makes sense that he thinks he can work well into his 40s, even though that is still nine years away. The Phillies may watch their supernova age as they wait. In a few years, Middleton and the Phillies can talk about an extension if Harper keeps chipping away at the ball and appears ready to avoid the Father Time curve. They are able to afford to hold off.

Harper is not likely to cause too much of a stir in the interim. Anticipate that the future Hall of Famer will set aside his relative unhappiness. This is by no means a holdout. He is still focused on the regular season because he has a new job to learn in. Furthermore, Harper’s current circumstances are too favorable to ruin due to unpredictabilities thus far out in the future.

The most likely situation? In one way or another, Harper will still end his career as a Phillie.