Harper says Yankees speculation part of human nature

Bryce Harper understands that with his free agency less than two years away, there's bound to be speculation regarding where he'll sign what's anticipated to be a record-shattering deal.

While he continues to sing the praises of the Washington Nationals, Harper has been linked to a number of clubs, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees.

"I think that's just part of people talking and hearing what they want to hear," Harper said Monday, according to Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News. "I think that's Yankees fans and all of baseball. If it's not the Yankees one day, it's the Cubs the next day. If it's not the Cubs, it's the Phillies or the Dodgers.

"So I think that's part of human nature and people guessing what's going to happen, but I don't try to pay too much attention to it. We've still got a long way to go. And like I said, and I say this all the time, I do love playing in D.C. It's a great place to play."

Harper has spent his entire six-year career in Washington. And in May, the club appeared to strengthen their rapport with their star slugger and his agent Scott Boras when they agreed to a record $21.65-million deal for 2018 that bought out Harper's final year of arbitration eligibility.

Still, there are serious questions as to whether the Nationals will be able to afford to give Harper the type of contract he'll demand once he hits free agency - one that rival general managers believe could range between $400 and 500 million.