While the chances of Bryce Harper of joining the Giants seem slim and the A’s non-existent, it’s still interesting to note how the free-agent outfielder’s agent is marketing him to prospective teams.
That’s because Harper’s contract will set the market this offseason, and therefore the direction of teams that don’t even sign him.
USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale detailed how Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, is presenting his client’s worth in meetings, including in a 118-page handbook that, among other things, compares the outfielder to NBA superstar LeBron James and explains how he’s worth $1 billion to a franchise.
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“My goal in this thing is to let teams know what they’re getting -- that’s why we brought in the LeBron comparisons,” Boras said. “A lot of people don’t know what he’s done by the age of 25, and how that compares to what LeBron James did at 25. You get a very clear path on how hard it is to achieve a standard of excellence in an arena where you’re both No. 1 picks, both rookies of year, both MVPs, and set a standard that no one can meet.”
Boras predicts Harper will have two, possibly three, serious suitors, according to Nightengale. Will the Giants be one of them, swayed by Boras’ research of minute details such as Harper being thrown just 41 percent of all pitches in the strike zone, and hitting .327 with a .779 slugging percentage on fastballs thrown at least 94 mph?
[RELATED: How Giants really should use Harper contract money]
According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic, the Giants have downplayed their interest in Harper, but they might seek a meeting with him. Although Harper would be an enticing addition, the cost -- more than the $300 million he reportedly rejected from the Washington Nationals -- could be too high, especially with San Francisco's immediate roster needs.
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But the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Giants’ NL West rivals, reportedly met with Harper last month, and they always seem to have money to burn. Still, if Harper signs with the Dodgers but is more LeBum than LeBron, it could reshape the division for years to come.