Nationals’ Harper ‘focused on this year,’ not discussing 2019

Washington Nationals star outfielder Bryce Harper wants to lock in on 2018 without regard for what’s on deck: his first foray into free agency.

Harper, who can become a free agent in November with the potential for a historic contract offer, addressed reporters for the first time this spring training on Monday and refused to discuss anything beyond the upcoming season.

Harper arrived two days ahead of the Nationals’ first official full-squad workout at spring training in West Palm Beach, Fla.

“I will not be discussing anything relative to 2019 at all,” Harper said while reading his prepared opening remarks from his phone. “I’m focused on this year. I’m focused on winning and playing hard like every single year. So if you guys have any questions after 2018, you can call (agent) Scott (Boras), and he can answer you guys. If you guys do talk anything about that, then I’ll be walking right out the door.”

Last May, the 25-year-old Harper and the Nationals agreed to a one-year, $21.65 million deal for the 2018 season that was the largest one-year deal ever given to an arbitration-eligible player.

When that contract expires in November, Harper is expected to set a new landmark with a megadeal as a free agent if the Nationals aren’t able to sign him to a long-term extension before he hits the open market.

Harper told reporters in fielding questions that he welcomes talking about how he can help the Nationals advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2005.

“We’re expected to win the East. We’re expected to possibly win a pennant, and we’re expected to possibly win a World Series. As a team, I think we’re going to try to do the best we can and do everything possible to win ballgames,” Harper said, per ESPN. “We’ve just got to take it one game at a time and win the East first. Because the Mets are tough. The Braves are good. Philly, Miami, whatever. Miami plays us pretty dang well. We’ve just got to go out there, play our game and see what we can do.”

Harper made it clear he wants free agent Jake Arrieta — the former Chicago Cubs ace who remains unsigned with spring training camps underway — on Washington’s staff.

“If I’m an organization or a team, I want the best players on my team,” Harper said. “My fans deserve that. The players deserve that. There’s a guy like Jake Arrieta out there right now. I’d put him on my staff any day of the week. He’s one of the best pitchers in the game, one of the best playoff pitchers in the game. You saw what he did last year, the year before.”

Harper, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, debuted in the majors in 2012 at the age of 19.

In 2015, he won the National League Most Valuable Player award, becoming the youngest player ever to be voted a unanimous MVP, following a season in which he hit .330 with 42 home runs and 99 RBIs.

After a down year in 2016, Harper started out fast last season and was considered an MVP frontrunner before suffering a gruesome knee injury in mid-August. He finished the season hitting .319 with 29 homers and 87 RBIs in 111 games.

–Field Level Media