Phillies reportedly considered a ridiculous 20-year contract offer to Bryce Harper in 2019

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies reportedly considered a ridiculous 20-year contract offer to Bryce Harper in 2019 image

The Philadelphia Phillies have been known to give out long-term contracts to free agents in recent years. It's one of their biggest strengths, and might help them land Bo Bichette this winter.

This willingness to spend over such a long time isn't a recent thing. Their Trea Turner 11-year deal, and Aaron Nola's seven-year deal have shown just how willing the team is to go beyond the norm for the top free agents.

But the most absurd long-term offer came back during Bryce Harper's free agency, when the Phillies, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, reportedly considered offering Harper a 20-year contract.

Phillies considered 20-year contract for Bryce Harper

"Once, during the Bryce Harper negotiations in 2019," Gelb writes, "front-office officials floated the concept of a 20-year deal that would have paid him his desired $330 million but lessened the annual average value (AAV) so the Phillies could better manage potential luxury tax bills."

The Phillies, during their free-agent pursuit of Harper, had considered offering him a 20-year contract, which would've carried him through the 2038 season, and had him under contract at 45-years old.

While deferrals have become a bigger part of the sport now than they were back in 2019, and the Phillies could've added deferrals to make such an offer nowadays, it's still an insane offer the Phillies considered.

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They never made it to Harper, but it is fascinating to wonder how he would have reacted to hearing about the Phillies 20-year contract offer.

He ended up signing for 13 seasons, which is still a very long time, but it's not close to the ridiculous 20-year offer that was floating around in the Phillies front office.

Harper is a great player, and on the Hall of Fame track. But, regardless of whoever it is, a 20-year contract, not one with deferrals, is a ridiculously long deal to offer to anyone.

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Staff Writer