Pay the man his money
Maybe I’m just weird, but the discourse that is surrounding Bryce Harper’s desire to sign an extension is quite strange to me. Right now, his contract would end after the 2031 season. He wants to sign a deal that would go beyond that, ensuring that his career ends in Philadelphia as a pitstop on the way to Cooperstown to don a Phillies “P” on his plaque.
Who cares? In the year 2032, we’ll have lost interest in this current version of the story and will want Harper to end his career in red pinstripes (or whatever the uniform looks like).
Just give him the money. Do the deal and avoid any kind of unpleasantness. It won’t set a precedent since no one else on the team is like Harper. There is no downside to this. Don’t come at me with aging curves and whatnot. The second Harper returned months earlier than expected from Tommy John surgery wiped out any doubt he can age well.
Pay the man.