Tiger Woods (L) and Bryce Harper | Image Source: Getty
In 2019, Bryce Harper signed a record-setting 13-year $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that raised some eyebrows. Several teams had rejected the potential of signing Harper because he was perceived to be injury-prone, which had a lot to do with him being a powerful slugger.
Harper headed into free agency for the first time after a solid 2018 season with the Washington Nationals, his seventh with the club. He hit .249 with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs. Many teams were in contention to secure his services.
The 2018-19 offseason also saw the free agency of corner infielder, Manny Machado. There were comparisons made between Machado and Harper where some teams preferred Machado because of his defensive prowess.
“Corner outfield is the easiest place to find a bat,” a club president said, via SI. “He doesn’t stand out as much as Machado, a righthanded-hitting third baseman who hits righthanded pitching.”
