Clubhouse reaction to Harper signing with Phillies

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals have had some time to digest the 13-year, $330 million deal that free agent Bryce Harper landed with the Phillies, and they're both happy for their former teammate and eager for the competition that the megadeal creates in what has become a much tougher National League East.

"Man, it's awesome," third baseman Anthony Rendon said Friday morning at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. "So happy for him. I think it's great you have a team out there that's also trying to be competitive . They know that they have a talent like that, like Bryce, out there on the market and they're willing to take that plunge. Try to be really competitive, and they are going to be."

Few seemed surprised at the length or amount of the deal - or even the lack of opt-outs included in it. Harper will take is physical at the Phillies spring complex in Clearwater, Fla., today and is to be introduced at a press conference tomorrow.

"Awesome for Bryce, happy for him," said right fielder Adam Eaton. "Setting records out there, which I think we all thought he would and knew he would. It's kind of tough he's going to an NL East team, but we get to see more of him, selfishly, because he's had his part putting the Nationals where they are today."

As Harper's free agency stretched through the winter and into the first few weeks of spring training, there was still a belief that the Nationals could re-enter the bidding with one final opportunity to top any deal Harper received. Washington gave Harper a 10-year, $300 million offer near the end of last season, but that deal disappeared as soon as Harper tested the free agent waters. Reportedly, that offer included a substantial amount of deferred money.

Shortstop Trea Turner watched the negotiations - which saw the Giants and Dodgers make late attempts to enter the bidding - and is happy that they have finally reached a conclusion.

"I'm just glad he's going to get to play baseball again," Turner said. "I think it was a long offseason for him, probably not as much fun as some people would think. But it's good that he's out there now and we're going to get to see him a bunch. It'll be good to see him - on the other side this time instead of in our clubhouse. But I'm happy for him."

Seeing Harper in a different uniform will clearly take some getting used to.

"It's definitely going to be weird," Turner said. "He's been here for a long time and making a change over there is going to be a little bit different, especially in the division. It's going to be interesting."

But the division just became much more competitive. Every team by the Marlins has designs on the top spot and Miami has continued to stockpile youth while it retools.

"For me, every team has gotten better," manager Davey Martinez said. "If you look on paper, what everybody has done, our division is going to be really, really strong. But like I said before, my focus is on what we do, how we go out and compete every day and conquer every day."

Added Eaton: "At the same token, we're excited to go against the best. I think all of our pitching staff is excited to go against the best as well, and still win this division. I think it's still ours to take and I think we're still working towards winning the division."

The Nationals have been preparing for this inevitability since the end of last season. Once Harper rejected their offer, general manager Mike Rizzo moved quickly and decisively to fill holes in the bullpen, rotation and behind the plate.

Eaton and others are ready to move on, even if it will be markedly different.

"I don't know about turning the page, or anything of that sort, but I think being a professional, everyone's got to consider that," he said. "Be a professional, come into to camp and the guys that are surrounding you - the guys who are in the seats and in the clubhouse - just play with them and get better with them and try to learn the new guys. As much as it seems hard for everyone on the outside to do, for us, it's just being a professional."

Rendon was asked whether, being a free agent after the 2019 season concludes, he had watched Harper's courtship - dubbed "Harper's Bazaar" by agent Scott Boras, who also represents Rendon - any differently or more intently.

"No, I'm still trying to tune into my Rockets," Rendon said, referring to his favorite NBA team. "They're more important."

But Rendon knows that a big-dollar deal or extension can set up a player for life, and that he'll soon be facing decisions similar to those weighed by Harper over the past few months.

"Players are interchangeable. ... Players are coming and going," Rendon said. "We kind of get used to it - I guess that's a bad thing to say - but at the same time, each player has to do what's beneficial for their family."