Nationals, Harper avoid grievance hearing by agreeing to deal
The Washington Nationals and outfielder Bryce Harper avoided a grievance hearing set to take place Tuesday by reportedly agreeing to a two-year, $7.5-million deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
The club subsequently confirmed Monday evening that a deal has been reached.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement today with Bryce Harper," the Nationals said in a statement. "This is a fair agreement that benefits both sides. We look forward to seeing Bryce on the field this spring and working towards a 2015 World Series Championship."
Harper is entering the final season of his five-year, $9.9-million deal that he signed following the 2010 draft. However, Harper's agent, Scott Boras, believed that his client had the right to opt out of his $2.25-million salary for the 2015 season and become arbitration eligible. The Nationals argued that his contact did not include the ability to opt out.
While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports reported that the contract is worth $7.5 million over two seasons. The deal does not change Harper's long-term status, as he remains under team control through 2018.
The agreement affords the Nationals the ability to avoid a grievance hearing and ends a continuing spat with a generational talent that showed signs of turning ugly.
Harper was notably absent from Saturday's NatsFest fan festival, much to the dismay of the organization.
''We're disappointed he's not here, but he chose not to be here because of the grievance,'' general manager Mike Rizzo told The Associated Press on Saturday.
Harper responded by saying: "I have attended NatsFest each year and always enjoy my experience with the fans, but was unable to attend this year's event due to matters out of my control. I look forward to next year's NatsFest.''
Harper, 22, already has 357 games over three seasons under his belt and owns a career .272/.351/.465 slash line and 55 home runs. He's also earned two All-Star appearances.