The Washington Nationals and slugger Bryce Harper have agreed to a two-year deal, avoiding what would have likely been a fierce arbitration hearing, according to several reports.
A bit of background from The Washington Post on the disagreement that was reportedly settled:
Harper and the Nationals had been at odds over how his salary would be determined because of a rare dispute over the contract he signed as a first-round draft pick in 2010. If the sides had not settled, the Nationals and their most recognizable player would have engaged in a potentially contentious hearing Tuesday.
Harper and his agent, Scott Boras, believed Harper had the right to opt out of his prescribed 2015 salary ($1.5 million) and into baseball’s lucrative arbitration system. The Nationals contended his contract did not include the ability to opt out because it had never been included in the deal,
The two-time All-Star and 2012 National League Rookie of the Year will be eligible for free agency after the 2018 season.
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