On the heels of Mike Trout signing a six-year, $144.5 million extension with the Angels, you can’t blame Nationals fans for hoping that perhaps Bryce Harper would consider a similar deal. However, Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, hinted to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post today that the Trout contract will have no impact on their plans. Just try to read through the creative tea metaphor:
“I have the pleasure and privilege of watching Mike Trout play every night,” Boras said. “I think he’s a very special cup of tea, for which he is deserving of a completely different brew. While few, I definitely consider Bryce Harper as part of the next generation of elite brand of teas. Certainly as a studied connoisseur, I may hold a differing opinion as to the availability, demand and value of tea futures.”
In his extension, Trout gave up three free agent years in exchange for some (significant) cost certainty and security. This is contrary to how Boras usually operates with his clients, so we shouldn’t expect anything different in this case unless Harper feels strongly about sticking around. Besides, while the 21-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance so far, we likely haven’t seen the best of him yet. Why think about an extension right now?
Harper is under team control through 2018 and his age-28 season. If he can stay healthy and find that next level as many believe that he can, it’s not hard to imagine him landing the richest contract in baseball history. Chances are Boras and Harper won’t give up that opportunity for all the tea in China.
