© Eric Hartline | 2018 Aug 28
If Bryce Harper is going to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies we should know by the beginning of next week.
That’s according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, who is reporting that the two sides are expected to resolve their negotiations by Tuesday.
“The Phillies remain confident that they are going to sign Harper,” Olney writes, “but sources told Olney that the sides are nearing a crossroads in their negotiations.”
The Phillies have been considered the favorites to land the former NL MVP since last week, after it was reported that Harper is not interested in signing a short-term deal. The Giants were listed as betting favorites, but are reportedly not willing to offer a deal of more than seven years. Harper is expecting to command a deal richer than the 10-year, $300 million offer that infielder Manny Machado signed with the Padres last week.
The sweepstakes for Harper is assumed to be a two-team race between the Giants and Phillies at this point, with Nationals owner Mark Lerner confirming last week that the club has moved on from Harper.
The left-handed-hitting outfielder batted only .249 in 2018 but had 34 home runs and 100 RBIs and came on strong after the All-Star break.