I have not been this sad since Trump was elected President (Actually I was apoplectic). DMV(DC Maryland and Virginia) Baseball fans suspected the Nationals were not serious about a long term deal with Harper when they did not get it done during the 2018 season, No doubt the rest of baseball is either scratching their collective heads or laughing out loud. Despite Washington's inability to win the post season Harper would have been content to end his career here. I think Harper deserved to go to the Yankees. It would have been good for Harper, the Yankees and Baseball. But the Yankees did not open their wallets. I don't know why. They have young stars but have never shyed away from an all star lineup.
The arrogance of the Nationals Management regarding the development of young players is not equal to the Oakland Athletics, but it is close. Harper is a once in a generation talent. More importantly if one does come along what is the likelihood the Nationals will be in a position to get him. The Nationals not only allowed him to leave, they committed the cardinal sin of allowing to join a blue chip division rival. The Phillies are a first class organization. They have not been winning because their players got old. Harper has to be classified as a potential MVP every year barring injury. This is a decision that will haunt the Nationals for years to come.
It has always stuck in my craw that Harper was not the highest paid player on the team in particular and baseball in general. It was a mistake for them to acquire what is undeniably one of the best regular season pitchers in baseball and pay him more money than Harper. They did not need him because they already had a an excellent and dominating pitching staff. Offense was in greater need. A dominant hitter would have made it more difficult to pitch around Harper.
C'est la vie. Nationals fans deserve better.
The arrogance of the Nationals Management regarding the development of young players is not equal to the Oakland Athletics, but it is close. Harper is a once in a generation talent. More importantly if one does come along what is the likelihood the Nationals will be in a position to get him. The Nationals not only allowed him to leave, they committed the cardinal sin of allowing to join a blue chip division rival. The Phillies are a first class organization. They have not been winning because their players got old. Harper has to be classified as a potential MVP every year barring injury. This is a decision that will haunt the Nationals for years to come.
It has always stuck in my craw that Harper was not the highest paid player on the team in particular and baseball in general. It was a mistake for them to acquire what is undeniably one of the best regular season pitchers in baseball and pay him more money than Harper. They did not need him because they already had a an excellent and dominating pitching staff. Offense was in greater need. A dominant hitter would have made it more difficult to pitch around Harper.
C'est la vie. Nationals fans deserve better.