After his restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure necessitated a transfer to first base final season, Bryce Harper took nicely sufficient to his new place that the Phillies introduced in November that Harper could be their common first baseman in 2024 and past. The 2-time NL MVP spoke to reporters (together with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb) concerning the scenario at this time, saying “I wished them to know that I used to be on board with something they wished to do,” and that Harper left the choice about his place as much as the membership. “I mentioned if you need me in proper area, I’ll play proper. If you would like me at first, I’ll play first base. I feel collectively, they mentioned, first base is the place we would like you. I mentioned, ’OK, I’ll do every thing I can to be there,’ ” Harper mentioned. He’s now spending his Spring Coaching additional engaged on what appears to be his everlasting new place, noting that “I don’t assume I’ll transfer again out to proper. I don’t. However by no means say by no means.”
Harper additionally confirmed that he’s concerned about extending his contract, as agent Scott Boras acknowledged in December. The thought caught many unexpectedly on condition that Harper nonetheless has eight seasons and $196MM remaining on his unique 13-year, $330MM contract, and he’ll be turning 39 years previous in October 2031. Whereas Harper mentioned “I haven’t actually thought an excessive amount of about” his contract scenario, he mentioned that “taking part in into my 40’s, I imply, that’s the largest factor for me. So I wish to get that executed.” It stays to be seen if Harper, Boras, and the Phillies may probably attain some form of deal so as to add two (or extra?) years onto Harper’s contract, but president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has downplayed the thought of a renegotiation.
Extra from across the NL East…
Chris Sale has battled via a number of injury-plagued seasons, however the winter of 2023-24 “was the primary time going into an offseason with out coping with one thing since 2018 or one thing like that,” the brand new Braves starter informed The Athletic’s David O’Brien and different reporters. “It’s been a very long time. I had quite a lot of enjoyable this offseason, with the ability to play baseball and do issues that I haven’t been in a position to do.” In each buying Sale from the Crimson Sox after which signing him to a two-year extension, the Braves are placing quite a lot of religion that the southpaw is able to rebound as he enters his age-35 season. Atlanta even appeared into buying Sale through the 2023 season, in accordance with supervisor Brian Snitker.
Mets reliever Kyle Crick is recovering from a Grade 4 calf pressure and won’t begin throwing bullpens till nearer to the top of spring camp, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo writes. New York signed Crick to a minor league deal in December and he has no challenge with pitching within the minors for the beginning of the season, given how his harm will seemingly forestall him making the Opening Day roster. Crick posted a 3.56 ERA over 187 1/3 aid innings with the Giants, Pirates, and White Sox from 2017-22, although he didn’t pitch in 2023 till surfacing in Dominican Winter League motion a couple of months in the past.
There’s sufficient occurring throughout the division that that is our second batch of NL East Notes at this time. Earlier on, Nick Deeds compiled one other set of things concerning the Marlins, Phillies, Nationals, and Braves.
