Bryce Harper, Nationals Avoid Grievance Hearing

Oct 7, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) celebrates with third base coach Bob Henley (14) after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the 7th inning during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Just one day before a scheduled grievance with his team, outfielder Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals agreed on a two-year $7.5 million contract, according to ESPN.com.

This offseason, Harper – a two-time All-Star – and the Nationals front office had been in a dispute over Harper’s contract that he signed his rookie year in 2010.

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Harper and his agent, Scott Boras, believed that Harper should have been allowed to opt out of his original 2015 salary of $1.5 million. Opting out would have allowed Harper to enter the MLB’s arbitration system, but the Nationals felt the opposite way, saying that there was no language in Harper’s original contract that allowed him to opt out.

With his new deal, Harper will make $2.5 million in 2015 and $5 million in 2016. He will remain a Washington National until 2018, when he will enter free agency.

Last season, Harper batted .273 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI’s in an injury-shortened season. In the National League Divisional Series against the San Francisco Giants, Harper hit three home runs and batted .294 (5-of-17) in four games against the eventual World Series Champions.

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