Good morning everybody! Unless you’ve been living under a baseball-shaped rock for the last 24 hours, you’ve probably heard that Bryce Harper has finally agreed to a long-term contract with the Philadelphia Phillies for 13 years and $330 million. There are still some big-name free agents out there (Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel) but the two major pieces are off the board. Here’s what all you need to know today.
In Mariners news...
- Shannon Drayer takes a look at the new way in which the M’s are approaching hitting.
Around the league...
- There are a lot of mind-blowing ways to look at just how long 13 years is, but perhaps it’s not long enough.
When Bryce Harper gets his final paycheck from the Phillies in 2031, Bobby Bonilla will still be four years away from his final paycheck from the Mets.
— Rian Watt (@rianwatt) February 28, 2019
- Here’s Harper’s precise contract breakdown.
Contract breakdown for Bryce Harper's deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, sources tell ESPN:
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 1, 2019
2019: $10M (plus $20M signing bonus)
2020: $26M
2021: $26M
2022: $26M
2023: $26M
2024: $26M
2025: $26M
2026: $26M
2027: $26M
2028: $26M
2029: $22M
2030: $22M
2031: $22M
- That’s an interesting obstacle the Giants had to deal with.
I’m told Giants made a 12-year, $310 million offer to Bryce Harper. They were willing to go higher but would have had to go well over $330 million to get it done because of California taxes.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 28, 2019
- And here’s what he turned down from the Dodgers.
In Bryce Harper talks, I am told #Dodgers were willing to offer a four-year deal worth approximately $45 million per season. That would have allowed Harper to shatter the all-time AAV record and become a free agent at age 30. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 28, 2019
- Craig Edwards at Fangraphs gives his perspective on the signing.
- Michael Baumann at The Ringer praised the Phillies for the Harper signing.
- Andrew Stoeten at The Athletic analyzes the statements the Blue Jays have made about keeping Vlad Guerrero, Jr. in the minors. ($)
- It appears that Robinson Canó has influenced some young players.
On @instagram (https://t.co/He83ZKkwlq), we asked whose swing #Marlins' Isan Diaz's looks like, and 75% of the responses were #Mets' Robinson Cano. Here they are side by side. pic.twitter.com/xwUv8ypshm
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) February 28, 2019
- Speaking of Robbie, Amazin’ Avenue takes a look at what Canó can provide for the Mets this season.
- And they say baseball players aren’t well-known!
That windup looks awfully familiar pic.twitter.com/kX4s2iackj
— Cut4 (@Cut4) February 28, 2019
- Even though the Dodgers didn’t get Harper, they got a consolation prize.
#Dodgers sign IF Brad Miller to minor league contract with invitation to spring training.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) February 28, 2019
- Wait for it...
Hey @Cfisch_11 straighten it out next time, please pic.twitter.com/TqAl5nnVQc
— Houston McCullough (@houston_anne_) February 27, 2019
Anders’ picks...
- Jason Witten has left the broadcast booth to return to the field with the Cowboys, and uhh...
Jason Witten is coming out of retirement.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 28, 2019
This is unfortunate.
Witten, who was the 69th pick in his draft, had finished his career with 69 receiving touchdowns. His career long was a 69-yarder. pic.twitter.com/opnkZhuxt7
- And for all of you NBA fans, here’s a cool way to see the ways in which the game has changed.
Awesome visualization by @kirkgoldsberry on the most common shot locations in the NBA. Parallels that to the changes in approach at the plate (and the mound) in MLB: Maximize damage. pic.twitter.com/WURMHwyThn
— Kyle Boddy (@drivelinebases) February 28, 2019