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Nationals, Harper strike deal for 2018 worth reported $21.65M

Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

That's one way to make a statement.

The Washington Nationals have avoided arbitration early with star outfielder Bryce Harper, agreeing to a deal for the 2018 season, the team announced Saturday.

The deal is worth $21.65 million, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. It's the largest one-year contract in league history for an arbitration-eligible player. In addition, Harper will be awarded a $1-million bonus if he wins the MVP Award next year.

Harper's deal comes exactly four months after he and the Nationals avoided arbitration for this season, agreeing to a one-year, $13.625-million deal in January.

"It's huge. We're able to go into the offseason and worry about other things," Harper said, according to MASN Sports' Mark Zuckerman.

While the agreement represents an enormous step toward solidifying Harper's future in Washington, he's still eligible to join the free-agent class of 2019, which could feature an abundance of stars (Clayton Kershaw, Manny Machado, and Josh Donaldson, to name a few).

With one MVP Award already to his name, the 24-year-old has performed at that level again this season after a disappointing 2015 campaign. He's hit .372/.496/.717 with 10 home runs, 29 RBIs, and a ridiculous 1.213 OPS before play began Saturday.

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