Report: Lerner says Nats, Harper reps have not spoken in months

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

February 22, 2019, 5:47am

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The door is still not shut.

Or ...

It's over. Time to move on.

The latter message seemed to be the stronger of the two from Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner speaking to NBC Sports Washington today regarding the free agency destination possibilities for Bryce Harper, who has played his entire career with the Nationals.

Lerner spoke to NBC Sports Washington and said that the team made an offer to Harper and agent Scott Boras back in October, but have not "heard from them in a couple of months."

But Lerner did say that the door is still "cracked a little bit." That could mean that the Nationals are willing to listen to Boras if they call with one final opportunity to negotiate a deal with Harper.

It seems like the Phillies have the best opportunity to sign Harper to the long-term deal he appears to covet, especially since they lost out to the Padres in the fight to sign Manny Machado. Machado agreed to a 10-year, $30 million deal with San Diego, with an opt-out available after five years.

The White Sox and Giants are still mentioned in the conversation for Harper, but this really feels like Philadelphia's game now. Unless a mystery team steps up or Harper calls the Nats one last time.