LEAGUES News
Twitter reacts to Harper signing with Phillies
After months of waiting and speculation, Bryce Harper has a new home with the Philadelphia Phillies for the next 13 years.
The baseball world can breathe easy now that the wait for biggest remaining piece on the free-agent market to sign is finally over.
Here's a look at how Twitter reacted as news of Harper's record-setting deal broke.
It finally happened! #Phillies pic.twitter.com/KCBfhHFJ0g
— Daren Willman (@darenw) February 28, 2019
Exhale.
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) February 28, 2019
At long last, MLB The Show was able to reveal the game art for the newest entry to its series, less than a month before its March 26 release date.
Breaking News: Harper, Phillies reach agreement:https://t.co/fCHLTdfb4J pic.twitter.com/PCYVTx5j2u
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) February 28, 2019
Several current and former players from the Phillies and around the league tweeted their support for the signing.
Getting the house ready for @bharper3407 https://t.co/TCHOGVm2We
— Jake Arrieta (@JArrieta34) February 28, 2019
BIG MOOD🔋 pic.twitter.com/Hf1Ixhs3Ig
— Rhys Hoskins (@rhyshoskins) February 28, 2019
At times like these you already know what I would say........... @Bharper3407 welcome to the #Phamily
— Jimmy Rollins (@JimmyRollins11) February 28, 2019
@Bharper3407 welcome to the great city kid!!! Looking forward to having some fun next week in camp and bringing back the winning ways to Philadelphia 🤙🏽 oh and can I get a loan 🤣 #Phillies #MLB #baseball #Harper
— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) February 28, 2019
Congrats @Bharper3407, Manny Machado, Nolan Arenado, Aaron Nola, Miles Mikolas, Marwin Gonzales, and all the other guys who signed deals they deserve! And congrats to the teams and fans that get to root for these guys! Get excited. Season is almost here. #ST2K19
— Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria) February 28, 2019
I knew my retirement would free up the Market. #yourewelcomeBryce https://t.co/jCErPHB1ZX
— Peter Moylan (@PeterMoylan) February 28, 2019
Others offered their thoughts to reporters at spring training.
‘He deserves it — that, and more’
— Michael Silverman (@MikeSilvermanBB) February 28, 2019
- Mookie Betts on 13-year, $330 million free agent deal for Bryce Harper.
Scherzer, informed of Harper’s deal while we were interviewing him: “13-year deal? That’s good for the game.” On Bryce going to Philly: “Hey, we get to face him. That’ll be fun.”
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 28, 2019
Brett Gardner’s first thoughts about Bryce Harper’s deal: “That’s a lot of years.”
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 28, 2019
Indeed it is. Where were you 13 years ago?
Brandon Belt said he likes the outfielders in camp but on Harper, he said, “It kind of sucks it wasn’t us.”
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) February 28, 2019
Philly faithful are expressing their excitement following the big announcement.
Finally hearing that Harper is signing with the Phillies pic.twitter.com/kjne9WGmN8
— Brooke Destra (@BrookeonBroad) February 28, 2019
Construction workers at Citizens Bank Park are thrilled about Bryce Harper#Phillies⚾️ pic.twitter.com/qTss5UWjJy
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 28, 2019
Phillies fans leaving work to go get tickets at Citizens Bank Park after Bryce Harper news!!#Phillies ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/B7MxvAbLIp
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 28, 2019
Other Philly franchises were quick to open their arms to the city's newest acquisition.
Hey @Bharper3407, let @CoreyClement_6 know if you need any batting advice. pic.twitter.com/Ajp8a70Bbe
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 28, 2019
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. #BrotherlyLove pic.twitter.com/yiJA6NXGl1
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 28, 2019
It’s time, @Bharper3407. #HereTheyCome | #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/GmI1Azm1ad
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 28, 2019
Not everyone is impressed, however.
The Harper deal ... seems bad for both sides?
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) February 28, 2019
It's a very long deal, and some people have jokes.
When Harper's contract is finished it can have a Bar Mitzvah.
— Matt Meyers (@mtmeyers) February 28, 2019
Bartolo Colon will be 58 at the end of Bryce Harper’s contract, and also probably his teammate on the Phillies that year.
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) February 28, 2019
The year is 2031.
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) February 28, 2019
President Jaden Smith just signed an executive order making Instagram accounts mandatory for all American citizens. Fast and Furious 15 is set to drop in July. MLB has the universal DH, aluminum bats and five bases now.
But Bryce Harper is still a Phillie.
phillies fans are in the streets burning their “77-85 regular season record” sweaters and furiously knitting “83-79 regular season record” sweaters. this is the difference one man can make
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) February 28, 2019
Can’t wait for when I flip from chuckling at the Phillies spending $330 million on Bryce Harper to furiously defending the Red Sox giving Mookie Betts a $400 million 18-year contract.
— Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) February 28, 2019
Bryce Harper Bryce Harper
— Let's be Frank 🎙 (@LetsBeFrankPod) February 28, 2019
at beginning vs. at the end
of contract of contract pic.twitter.com/g2VIKzjAs2
Meanwhile, there are questions surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers' apparent lack of interest to go long on a Harper deal.
The Dodgers did not offer Bryce Harper a 10-year contract, source confirms. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 28, 2019
On the bright side, the #Dodgers kept open a super max salary slot for ... oh, right ...
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) February 28, 2019
Oh, well. Now the #Dodgers can go after Nolan Arenado next ... he what?
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 28, 2019
New York Mets fans remain obstinate in their dislike of the Phillies, and are not impressed.
To all the Phillies fans. #LGM pic.twitter.com/LWM7KqR3LJ
— Athlete Logos (@athletelogos) February 28, 2019
Though, there's probably some residual bitterness from an old deal that keeps on dealing.
When Bryce Harper gets his final paycheck from the Phillies in 2031, Bobby Bonilla will still be four years away from his final paycheck from the Mets.
— Rian Watt (@rianwatt) February 28, 2019
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