Nationals MVP Bryce Harper: 'Don't sell me short' on big future payday
Washington Nationals MVP Bryce Harper knows his value.
The 23-year-old outfielder was asked in an interview with 106.7 FM The Fan what his thoughts were about his next contract potentially being worth more than $400 million. Harper will earn $5 million this season and is eligible for arbitration after 2016.
"Yeah, I mean, I don't really think about that stuff," Harper said Thursday. "I just try to play the years out and do everything I can to help my team win. But don't sell me short. That's what you're doing right now to me, so don't do that.
"... I'm looking forward to just playing this year, just looking forward to playing the next couple years. And I think all that stuff will play out."
Harper becomes eligible for free agency after the 2018 season.
Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton currently has the most lucrative contract in Major League Baseball, a 13-year, $325 million deal that he signed in November 2014.
Harper was named the youngest unanimous MVP in baseball history in November, garnering all 30 first-place votes in National League voting. He is only the seventh unanimous MVP in NL history.
Harper led the majors in on-base percentage (.460), slugging (.649) and WAR (9.9) in 2015. He also tied for the NL lead in homers (42) and had the second-best batting average in the NL (.330).
