© Russell Lansford | 2018 Sep 28
According to reports by both Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports and Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants have discussed a long-term deal of at least 10-years with free agent outfielder Bryce Harper. It was originally reported that the Giants were only interested in a short-term deal, assumed to be in the range of seven years or less. A 10-year deal for Harper would likely pay him an excess of $300 million, comparable to the deal Manny Machado signed with the Padres last week.
All teams talking to Bryce Harper in these late stages, including the #SFGIants, have discussed deals of at least 10 years, I’ve learned.
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) February 27, 2019
Amidst a flurry of reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers are making a late push to sign the former NL MVP, the Giants brass met with the outfielder for the second time this offseason on Tuesday, according to a report by Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group.
Tuesday’s meeting in Las Vegas included both CEO Larry Baer and VP of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi. Bruce Bochy was not in attendance as he was during the first meeting at the beginning of February. The Giants have reportedly made a formal offer to Harper, though the details have not been disclosed.
The Giants were considered the favorites to land Harper after reports of their first meeting in February, but have fallen behind the Phillies in recent weeks, after reports that Harper is not interested in signing a long-term deal, and that the Giants are not interested in offering one. That has apparently changed.
On Sunday, the Dodgers, thought to be out of the running, met with Harper for the first time this offseason. The meeting reportedly made the Phillies nervous that Harper would prefer to sign with Los Angeles if he is offered a comparable deal.
Nolan Arenado signing an eight-year extension with the Rockies on Tuesday is rumored to have re-ignited the Dodgers’ interest in Harper, as Los Angeles was reportedly planning on pursuing Arenado next offseason.
