MLB rumors: Nationals’ Bryce Harper spills on free agency, season-long slump

by Felix Pantaleón

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will be a free agent after the 2018 MLB season. The 2015 National League MVP could command a $400 million contract from a deep-pocketed team such as the Yankees or Phillies. Harper leads the NL with 19 home runs this season, but he’s hitting a career-worst .213.

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Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has a career batting average of .279. He hit .330 in 2015, when he was named National League MVP. He hit .319 last season. Which makes this season’s problems at the plate so stunning.

Harper is hitting just .213 this season, including .148 in the month of June.

Not exactly the kind of production Harper is hoping for before heading into free agency after the 2018 season.

Despite his recent struggles, Harper will no doubt find plenty of suitors when he hits the open market, including deep-pocketed teams such as the Yankees and Phillies.

Harper, for his part, is doing his best to prevent his impending free agency from getting inside his head, per the Washington Post:

“I’m like, ‘I don’t think about it,’ ” Harper said of the conversation. “I really don’t. Me, personally, it doesn’t really bother me.”

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As for his hitting problems this season, Harper feels like he has a beat on what’s wrong and what he needs to change:

“The past couple weeks, I’ve just chased out of the zone a little too much,” Harper said. “The biggest thing I see in myself is really just swinging at pitcher’s pitches. There’s times where I’m on the corner and a strike is called, and then I chase something else and dig my own hole. I’ve got to work to get my pitches to hit.”

Harper still leads the National League with 19 home runs this season.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.