After months of buildup and anticipation, multiple teams seemingly “in” or “out” and a whole lot of drama between the MLB and the Player's Association, Bryce Harper has finally found a team in the Philadelphia Phillies.
The former Washington Nationals star reached a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies on Thursday afternoon, breaking the record for the most guaranteed money in MLB history (previously held by Giancarlo Stanton with $325 million) and setting the Internet on fire.
Philly's marquee signee in 2017, Jake Arrieta, was very quick to react, linking to a hilarious Instagram video with him dusting his house and the caption “Getting the house ready for @bharper307:”
Getting the house ready for @bharper3407 https://t.co/TCHOGVm2We
— Jake Arrieta (@JArrieta34) February 28, 2019
Former Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and Eagles star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox also took to Twitter to welcome Harper to the City of Brotherly Love:
At times like these you already know what I would say……….. @Bharper3407 welcome to the #Phamily
— JIMMY ROLLINS (@JimmyRollins11) February 28, 2019
YUPPPP @Bharper3407 PHILLY is the place to be 😎😎😎😎!!!! WELCOME
— fletcher cox (@fcoxx_91) February 28, 2019
Aside from the welcoming committee, SportsCenter was quick to point out that Harper's first road series with the Phillies will be in Washington, D.C. against his former club:
Bryce Harper's first road series as a member of the Phillies is in D.C. 👀 pic.twitter.com/iqfDuJJotL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 28, 2019
And, of course, there were elements of humor to be found everywhere. FanGraphs writer Rian Watt used the length of the contract to rib the New York Mets over the infamous Bobby Bonilla contract, while Barstool Sports gave a rather sardonic depiction of what Harper may look like after 13 years of dealing with Phillies fans:
https://twitter.com/rianwatt/status/1101213890560450561
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1101211457201623042
The Phillies have had one of the busiest offseasons in baseball. They signed outfielder Andrew McCutchen and reliever David Robertson to deals in free agency before landing Harper.
Philly also traded for shortstop Jean Segura and J.T. Realmuto–arguably the best catcher in baseball–while extending their ace, Aaron Nola.
Needless to say, their move on Harper finally means that the two biggest names on the market are gone. Hallelujah.
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