After a couple of quiet weeks, the Giants are back to being fully immersed in Harper Watch.
The front office and Bryce Harper have discussed a 10-year deal worth in excess of $300 million, sources told NBC Sports Bay Area on Wednesday, and there are indications that the slugger could make a decision before the end of the week.
A source familiar with discussions said the Giants believe Harper could choose his next team in the next couple of days, and manager Bruce Bochy seems to believe that, too.
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“We don’t know what his decision is going to be,” Bochy said after Wednesday’s game, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. "We are grateful we are in the mix, and sure, we hope things work out, but I can’t be concerned with something we don’t have.
“I’ve got to think it’s close. I don’t know, but I’d think it would be.”
For a couple of weeks, it seemed Harper was close to signing with the Phillies. But he met with the Giants for a second time Tuesday, per Kerry Crowley of the San Jose Mercury News. Harper and agent Scott Boras also met with the Dodgers on Sunday.
For months, it seemed the Harper team might have overplayed its hand, but it now appears to be sitting pretty. Harper and Boras have pitted the Dodgers and the Giants against each other, with the Phillies — who were desperate to add one of the winter’s two biggest free agents — also still in the mix.
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[RELATED: Harper the betting favorite for NL MVP despite no team]
It seems a lock now that Boras will comfortably clear the $300 million mark on Harper's next contract. It’s just a matter of picking a time, and picking a team.