© Kim Klement | 2019 Mar 2
Bryce Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, joined Larry Krueger on KNBR Thursday morning and discussed a number of topics, most notably the lengthy negotiations for Harper, and the Giants’ role in them. San Francisco reportedly offered a 12-year deal worth $310 million for Harper, who eventually decided to sign with the Phillies for 13-years, $330 million.
A number of reasons were thrown out as to why Harper ultimately passed on the Giants’ offer, from the dimensions of the ballpark to California’s state taxes. When speaking with Krueger, Boras acknowledged that the latter was a factor.
“In a negotiation you try to put forth what Bryce’s needs and wants were, and certainly the Giants took some great steps to look at that,” Boras said. “It’s difficult for a California team because of the tax issues when you’re doing valuations and you’re in competition with a team that has much more valued tax elements. There are economics involved.”
To account for the elevated California taxes, the Giants would have reportedly had to inflate their offer well over $330 million to land Harper, something they weren’t willing to do.
Interestingly, the dimensions of Oracle Park didn’t discourage Harper at all. In fact, according to Boras, the simulations they ran showed that Harper was actually likely to be more successful hitting in San Francisco than he was at Nationals Park in Washington.
Boras did however offer two areas where he believes the Giants could make improvements to the park.
“The bullpens are dangerous. Bryce Harper tripped over the bullpen in right and hurt his shoulder there. It’s something where we’ve got to figure out a way to get the bullpens out in the outfield, maybe take that right-center (area) and make that a little more hitter-friendly.”
