Bryce Harper arrives to the Philadelphia Phillies
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The most expensive contract in the history of the Major Leagues already begins to generate positive feelings in fans, players and the environment of the majors in general
His departure from Washington Nationals was commenting, but no doubt, what few imagined is that it was going to the Philadelphia Phillies. We speak of Bryce Harper, synonymous with strength and intensity in a batting box, because with only 26 years, already collect amazing numbers after seven seasons in the majors as 184 home runs, 521 RBIs, 922 hits and an offensive average of 279. Today, Latin American Post analyzes the impact of its presence on a new team.
Leer en español: Bryce Harper llega con todo a los Filadelfia Filis
The first thing is that Philadelphia managed to get many teams on the circuit to sign one of the most desirable free agents in the market. But attention, which shows a well-orchestrated plan from the offices of the Phillies. In this pause, they already made the services of David Robertson and Andrew McCutchen, and stay by way of the exchange with names like those of JT Realmuto, from the Miami Marlins and Jean Segura, from the Seattle Mariners.
In the 2018 campaign, Philadelphia was third with a negative record in a mediocre division, 80 wins for 82 setbacks, now, with these additions, it is impossible not to think that they will miss the Eastern National League pennant minimum. This is shown by S-Portology.com, which refers to the depth in the gardens with Harper on the right, the Venezuelan Odúbel Herrera in the center and Andrew McCutchen in the left prairie.
Seen this way, it looks a very respectable team with a balance between power and average if we talk about offense, which also has the plus of having speedy players to run the bases. His main rivals will be Braves of Atlanta (current division monarchs) and the New York Mets, culminating S-Portology.
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Astronomical contract
Harper has been elected seven times to participate in the All-Star Game, that is, all the campaigns. Therefore, his contract could not be anything less: 13 years and an astronomical figure of 330 million dollars, which exceeds what until today was the biggest link in the history of the Major Leagues: 325 million of the Miami Marlins receiver Giancarlo Stanton in 2015 for 15 years.
El Espectador explains how such a salary will be distributed over the years. 10 million in 2019 plus 20 per signing bonus. From 2020 and until 2028 it will charge 26 million annually, and from 2020 its salary will rise to 26 million, and it will keep it until 2028. While from 2029 to 2031, its salary will be 22 million dollars.
Of course, due to the breadth of the contract, Harper made a sacrifice in what he will receive annually, and in that sense, his contract if it is lower in annual value, since it has an average payment of 25 million per year, which today it places it below the 30 that the third baseman becomes, Manny Machado with the San Diego Padres, and the 33.4 of Nolan Arenado with the Colorado Rockies.
The first impact of Harper's arrival in Philadelphia is that he strengthens the title race in the Eastern Division of the National League, including champion Atlanta. The New York Mets are much stronger than in recent years, and Washington, although it no longer has Harper, continues to have a respectable rotation of starting pitchers.
Another aspect that evaluates the signature of Harper is what comes to reach in the last season of 2018. He hit 34 homers, drove in 100 runs for the first time in his career, and last, but not least he traded 130 walks and 103 runs scored, El Espectador finished.
Impact on the fans
Harper's style already enchanted the city of Philadelphia long before he made his first swing. The Phillie's stores and ticket vendors are receiving good sums thanks to the 'Bombo Harper.' Many fans are still buying the shirt of Harper with the number 3, as well as their caps and for outside little, the box office is almost sold out for the opening match of March 28. Until welcome fences were placed on both sides of the road leading to the Citizens Bank Park stadium.
According to Diario Libre, the fanatics portal said that the number 3 shirt of Harper was the best sold in the history of the Phillies, taking as reference the first 24 hours of sale on sale. "I hope to be part of the Phillies for a long time. I like to play in Philadelphia, and I love playing at Citizens Bank Park, "said Harper.
In this regard, John Weber, vice president of the Phillies for ticket operations, said the club sold the day he hired Harper 100 thousand tickets and another 80 thousand the next day it was a Friday. That immediate weekend sold 100 thousand more and closed on Monday with 45 thousand, adding that these tickets range between 40 and 120 dollars.
According to MLB.com, one of the things that foreshadows a long relationship between Harper and the city is that he already expresses himself as if he were a native of the region or a lifelong team fan. "I want to go out to Broad Street in a boat, bus or whatever to carry a World Series trophy over my head," said the stellar outfielder after donning the number three jersey for the first time.
A statement that confirms it is that of the owner of the Phillies, John Middleton. "He has a magnetic personality and plays the ball with passion and Philadelphia loves that. They are captivated by the players who fight, "he said.
LatinAmerican Post | Onofre Zambrano
Translated from "Bryce Harper llega con todo a los Filadelfia Filis"
