Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press

Bryce Harper Rumors: Star Not 'Even Considering' Signing Short-Term Contract

Scott Polacek

Free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper still hasn't signed with a team as pitchers and catchers report to spring training this week, but he reportedly won't settle for a short-term contract.

On Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Harper is not "even considering" a short-term deal.

This comes after Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the San Francisco Giants planned on offering "a lucrative short-term deal" but did not want "to provide a long-term contract approaching the 10-year, $300 million contract Harper rejected from the Washington Nationals in September."

Buster Olney of ESPN added more context to the suggestion Harper will not sign a short-term deal with the team:

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi confirmed his team met with Harper in the outfielder's hometown of Las Vegas and pointed to "mutual interest on both sides," per Maria Guardado of MLB.com.

Harper's fit on San Francisco is clear given its offensive struggles from a year ago. The National League West team finished 29th in the league in total runs scored on the way to a 73-89 record and looked nothing like the organization that took home World Series trophies in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

The 26-year-old already has a National League MVP, Silver Slugger, NL Rookie of the Year and six All-Star Game selections on his resume and can anchor a lineup for a contender for approximately a decade given his production and his age.

He shouldn't have to settle for a short-term deal even in a quiet offseason that still features a number of notable other free agents, such as Manny Machado.

It appears as if he won't, meaning the Giants, Philadelphia Phillies or any other team that is interested in adding one of baseball's best players to their lineups will have to commit to a long-term deal before the 2019 season begins at the end of next month.

   

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