If this was an oldies station, we’d be playing either the Outsiders’ “Time Won’t Let Me,” or the Rolling Stones’ “Time Is on My Side.” Either way, time is of the essence, for the Nationals signing of first-round draft pick Bryce Harper.
Monday’s deadline is fast approaching, and while there was no public sign over the weekend that anything was imminent, it’s safe to say that, like last year’s negotiations with Scott Boras — then representing Stephen Strasburg — some kind of overture has likely taken place.
Remember the rumors that surrounded the Strasburg signing? We heard over and over again from the big name baseball writers that it was unlikely the Nationals would be able to satisfy Boras’ demands for the young flamethrower from San Diego State. Some wrote that Boras had demanded a $50 million deal, equivalent to what the Red Sox paid to acquire the rights to and then sign Daisuke Matsuzaka. Others said that Boras had found a way to render the draft itself illegal, making every amateur player a free agent. Others still said that Strasburg would play independent ball for a year and hope to be drafted by his hometown Padres this year.
When the dust settled, Strasburg signed for a record $15.1 million and began his professional career. Good thing he didn’t wait for the Padres to fall apart.
This year the Harper rumors are in full bloom. He wants more than Strasburg. He wants to go back to school to help his junior college win a national championship. He wants a major league contract right away with a big league debut in 2011. He wants an opt-out clause so he can walk away before actually qualifying for free agency. How much of this stuff is true? Like last year’s Strasburgiana, probably not a lot, if any.
Look, Harper’s college coach and teammates have all said that Bryce “can’t wait” to start his pro career. That he knows the money will be there once he proves his skills are genuine and potential is unlimited. That while, yes, like many kids his age, he sees himself in Yankee pinstripes in his mind’s eye, he’s all about being a team player wherever he plays.
Last year, Mike Rizzo’s patient approach and the Lerner family’s professional demeanor brought Strasburg into the fold with no visible sign of rancor on either side. There seems to be a genuine comfort level between Boras and the Nationals’ front office.
This isn’t 2008, when first round pick Aaron Crow’s agents butchered negotiations and Crow wasted a year pitching sparingly in independent baseball. (He’s now a minor leaguer with a 5.65 ERA.) Perhaps a thank you note is in order, since the consolation prize for Crow turned into Drew Storen. Don’t count on a similar scenario this year.
Phil Wood is a contributor to Nats Xtra on MASN. Contact him at [email protected].
