Nats, Harper settle on $7.5 million deal

Dec 15, 2014 - 4:31 PM Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - The Washington Nationals and outfielder Bryce Harper avoided what could have been an ugly contract grievance on Monday, as the two sides settled on a two-year deal.

According to the Washington Post, Harper will be paid $7.5 million over the next two years.

The settlement resolves the issue concerning Harper's arbitration eligibility, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday. Harper's agent, Scott Boras, had contended that his client was eligible this winter based on an oral agreement between him and the Nats when Harper signed his initial big league deal. The Nats, though, denied such an arrangement and believed Harper wasn't arbitration-eligible until after the 2015 season.

The 2012 National League Rookie of the Year signed a five-year major league contract worth $9.9 million, including a $6.25 million signing bonus, after he was drafted in 2010.

According to Boras, Harper could have opted out of the deal after this past season and been eligible for arbitration.

A thumb injury limited Harper to just 100 games last season, and he hit .273 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI. He may have been the Nats' best player in the Division Series against San Francisco, though, as he hit three home runs and became just the fourth player to have four postseason homers before the age of 22.

Harper, a two-time All-Star, has hit .272 with 55 home runs and 149 RBI in 357 games.