SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants did not convince Bryce Harper to come to San Francisco, but it wasn't because of a lack of effort.
The organization offered Harper a 12-year contract that would have paid him $310 million, NBC Sports Bay Area has learned.
Harper agreed Thursday to a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, but the Giants would have had to go significantly higher than $330 million in order to account for California's high state taxes. Nevertheless, they were in on Harper until the end, meeting him twice, including Tuesday in Las Vegas.
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This is the second consecutive offseason the Giants displayed a willingness to spend around $300 million to add a marquee bat to their lineup.
[RELATED: At least Harper didn't sign with the Dodgers]
A year ago, they chased Giancarlo Stanton, who had $295 million left on his deal. Stanton steered himself to the New York Yankees. Harper chose the biggest deal after nearly four months as a free agent, and in the end, it was one offered by the Phillies.
