WASHINGTON -- Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals have reached a $21,625,000 deal for the 2018 season, a contact that covers the slugging outfielder through his last year before he can become a free agent.
While no long-term agreement is in place, the deal Saturday shows the sides are talking beyond the time the Nationals are assured of having the 24-year-old Harper in their lineup.
The four-time All-Star was the unanimous NL MVP in 2015. Harper would've been eligible for salary arbitration next year.
Harper is making $13.63 million this season. He is hitting .372 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 31 games for the team with the best record in the National League.
In addition to his base salary, Harper can make $1 million for winning the 2018 NL MVP, $500,000 for finishing second in the voting, $250,000 for third, $150,000 for fourth and $100,000 for fifth. He also would get $100,000 each for being an All-Star or winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger award.
Cubs: Outfielder Ian Happ called up, makes majors debut
ST. LOUIS -- The Chicago Cubs bought the contract of Ian Happ from Triple-A Iowa and put the outfielder in the starting lineup against St. Louis for his major league debut.
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The Cubs also optioned pitcher Felix Pena to Iowa on Saturday.
Chicago is short on outfielders, and Happ got the start in right field. NL MVP Kris Bryant missed his second game Saturday against the Cardinals with stomach flu. Right fielder Jason Heyward remains on the 10-day disabled list with a finger injury.
Happ is hitting .298 with nine home runs and 25 RBI in 26 games with Iowa. He was a first-round draft choice, No. 9 overall.
Pena made two relief appearances. He is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA.
Orioles: Adam Jones urges race dialogue to combat 'ugliness and hate'
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones says the widely condemned racial insult hurled at him at Fenway Park illustrates the need for dialogue about race and for fans to police each other.
He says he is trying to grapple with the reality that "people aren't afraid to show ugliness and hate right now."
Jones spoke Saturday at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City while his team plays a series with the Royals.
He describes what happened to him in Boston on Monday night as "very unfortunate." A bag of peanuts also was thrown in his direction. He says this should serve as a reminder that players are trying to do their job and should be respected.
Jones adds that he doesn't mind if fans "yell at us a little bit," provided the catcalls do not degenerate into obscenities.
