Bryce Harper, Phillies reach biggest deal in MLB history

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The last big fish on the market during this year's MLB offseason, right fielder Bryce Harper, has reached a 13-year, 330-million-U.S.-dollar deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, ESPN reported on Thursday. The contract value sets a new record in the league's history.

When Harper signs the agreement, he will become the second-best paid professional athlete in North America, only next to Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez who has clinched a five-year, 365-million-dollar contract with sports streaming service DAZN last year.

According to ESPN, the deal includes a no-trade clause but no opt-outs, meaning that the 26-year-old superstar may finish his career in Philadelphia at the age of 39.

Before he was selected by the Washington Nationals with the overall No.1 pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, Harper appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16. He won NL Rookie of the Year in 2012 and became the youngest All-Star fielder that year. In 2015, Harper was elected NL MVP by a unanimous vote.

Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals hits a seventh inning single against the Colorado Rockies, September 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Nationals surely did not want to let Harper go and offered a 10-year, 300-million-U.S.-dollar deal before he became a free agent. However, Harper turned it down and became the target of multiple teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, the Chicago White Sox and of course, the Phillies.

Harper landing in Philadelphia should spell good news for his new teammates. They have only hovered around average in the past seven seasons. Though the Phillies managed to rank No.1 by August 2018 in the past season, they lost 20 of their 28 games the following month. The team's owner John Middleton admitted that he's ready to spend big money to make a change.

Carlos Santana #41 of the Philadelphia Phillies is greeted by teammate Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals after hitting a three-run home run in the fifth inning during Game 1 of the Japan All-Star Series game, November 9, 2018. /VCG Photo

Senior managers of the Phillies flew to Las Vegas in January to meet Harper and his agent. The two sides met again recently before they reportedly finalized the deal that would accelerate the rebuilding of the team.

Harper's transfer is a win-win for him and the team.

The Phillies would get the star power they need after six years during which none of their players made it to the top 10 in MVP voting. The team already had a promising squad and all they needed was a foundation stone player.

Harper, on the other hand, is receiving a long-term assurance during his prime time, setting him free from the pressure of being a free agent. Many considered Harper's struggling performance last season as the result of concern about his career.