Yankees in or out? Bryce Harper’s pal responds to agent’s done deal quote

NJ Advance Media tracked down a friend of Bryce Harper’s to get response to agent Scott Boras saying his client has a deal in place before the free agent signing period begins.

Has Bryce Harper already agreed to re-sign with the Washington Nationals instead of testing the free agent market this winter?

Has another club already done some illegal tampering by negotiating a contract before the signing period starts?

Scott Boras, the famed agent who represents the six-time All-Star outfielder, is on record saying a deal has been struck with someone.

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During an interview on the ESPN radio’s Michael Kay Show, Boras told Kay, “We know who the team is. It’s already completed and done, but Bryce has told me that he wanted to tell you personally.” 

That quote led to a lot of speculation, so NJ Advance Media went to one of Harper’s friends on Sunday night in hopes of finding out if the Nationals have a new deal in place and if the Yankees will get a shot at signing the 26-year-old superstar to be their new left fielder for 2019 and many years beyond.

The Harper friend wouldn’t let us use his name, but was adamant in text messages that Boras was just having some fun with Kay.

“Have you ever known a Scott Boras client to wait six years and not go on market?” Harper’s friend responded. “He’s teasing Michael Kay. He’s playing.

“There’s no deal in place. I promise. I would know.”

Boras’ quotes became a major storyline in baseball on Sunday before the Boston Red Sox won the World Series with a 5-1 Game 5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

By rule, the Nationals and Harper could have worked out a new deal, but other clubs can’t negotiate until the free agent signing period begins 10 days after the completion of the World Series, which we now know is Nov. 7.

Harper’s friend, by the way, also told NJ Advance Media that he thinks Harper prefers to return to the Nationals but predicts he’ll sign with the Chicago Cubs or Dodgers unless the Philadelphia Phillies offer a lot more than everyone elseand also sign shortstop Manny Machado, the other superstar position player in this off-season’s free agent market. He considers the Yankees a long shot and believes the Atlanta Braves could be the sleeper team to work out a deal.

The National League MVP in 2015, Harper hit .249 this season with 34 homers, 100 RBI, 130 walks and an .889 OPS in 159 games for the Nationals, who finished second in the NL East with an 82-80 record.

Despite his low batting average, Harper is expected to receive one of the richest contracts in history, maybe even one that surpasses the biggest ever, the 13-year, $325-million contract extension that Yankees designated hitter/outfielder Giancarlo Stanton signed with the Miami Marlins in November 2014.

“I don’t know where Bryce is going sign, but I know what’s gone down already,” Harper’s friend said. “Boras saying a deal is in place … that’s bogus.”

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.