It might have taken him a while, but outfielder Bryce Harper finally signed the record-setting contract that he set out for this offseason.
Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a 13-year, $330 million dollar contract that will pay the outfielder over $25 million per year through 2030.
This is the largest free agent contract signed in the history of American professional sports.
Harper was one of the biggest phenoms in the history of baseball when he burst onto the MLB scene with the Washington Nationals as a 19-year-old in the 2012 season.
Despite some bouts of inconsistency of injury problems, the Las Vegas native has shown why he was always considered one of the most talented prospects in the history of the game. Harper won the 2015 NL MVP Award after a massive season that saw him hit for a .330 average with 42 home runs. 2018 was a bit of an down year for the right fielder, who only hit .249 with 34 home runs.
It shouldn’t be any surprise, however, that the Phillies rewarded Harper with a contract of this size considering the player’s talent, youth, and production. Harper, since debuting in 2012, has totaled .279 and 184 home runs.
The Phillies, who got off to a strong start before sputtering in the second half and finishing in 3rd place in the NL East, will look to Harper to reignite what was once an anemic lineup at times.
Harper will also enjoy playing 81 games per season at Citizens Bank Park, one of the most hitter-friendly venues in all of baseball.
The Phillies become immediate favorites to win the NL East in 2019 with the addition of Harper, their new franchise player.
