Recent events in MLB have brought a couple of contracts to our attention.
As former Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis begins receiving deferred payments next year for a 15-year period, Carlos Correa signed a $350 million deal with the San Francisco Giants.
It’s a similar deal to that of Bryce Harper with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Before the 2019 campaign, Harper signed for 13 years and $330 million, and Correa also signed for 13 seasons.
While the Davis contract aged like milk, the Harper one is aging like fine wine.
“This is $20M more than the Phillies signed Bryce Harper for four years ago. Correa is 28. Harper was 26. That deal just looks better and better by the day. Wow,” Phillies writer Alex Carr tweeted.
This is $20M more than the Phillies signed Bryce Harper for four years ago. Correa is 28. Harper was 26.
That deal just looks better and better by the day. Wow. https://t.co/TzWrrwTeSX
— Alex Carr (@AlexCarrMLB) December 14, 2022
For as good as Correa is as a ballplayer, Harper is clearly better.
Correa ends up getting an extra $20 million over the same length.
The Harper Deal Has Been Outstanding
That means one thing: inflation exists in baseball, too.
When Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Juan Soto hit free agency, their contracts should easily push $400 million.
But let’s get back to Harper.
He earns $25.38 million per year if we divide the total amount of dollars on his contract by the years.
Back in early 2019, that was really something, but it isn’t as much in 2022 and by the time he is in the later years of the deal, it will be even less.
Harper has been excellent every year he has been with the Phillies.
In fact, he was the NL MVP in 2021 and carried the franchise on his back for the 2022 postseason while playing with a bum elbow.
Evidence suggests that Harper’s contract has been a huge win, and he is still just 30.
He is just getting started.
NEXT: Phillies Fans Wants A Key Free Agent Back For 2023
Trisha Andrews says
Thanks for the story about MLB players getting multi-year, multi million dollar contracts, especially my favorite player Bryce Harper.
Lousevens says
Lou Sevens here- I played the game myself. Great article, I like the idea of these teams keeping a player for 10-12 years as it reminds me of the old days when a player stayed with a team for their whole career