If Bryce Harper keeps pace, his price will go up

Speculation regarding Bryce Harper's long-term future in Washington isn't anything new. Heck, it began as soon as the Nationals made a 17-year-old Harper the most-hyped No. 1 overall pick in 2009 since, well, Stephen Strasburg the year before.

But as Harper entered the conversation in 2015 as arguably the game's best all-around player, questions started to swell about how long he'll remain in a curly-W cap.

"I'm definitely excited about the upcoming years and very excited to further my career as a National," Harper said moments after winning the National League Most Valuable Player award on Nov. 19. "But I have a couple more years in D.C. and then hopefully, at the end of that, we can do what we can and maybe be a National for life. We'll see."

Harper will only be 26 when his contract expires with the Nationals in three years. But much of the media focus following the historic season surrounded whether general manager Mike Rizzo would begin extension talks early.

"We've got quite a bit of control left on him," Rizzo said at the Winter Meetings. "He's going to be a unique and special situation for the franchise. I'm sure that'll be a discussion with myself and ownership in the future."

No doubt it will be a unique and special situation. Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton inked baseball's biggest contract -13 years, $325 million - in 2014. In an interview with 106.7 The Fan, which aired Friday morning, Harper responded to thoughts about a likely record-setting deal which could exceed $400 million.

"Yeah, I mean I don't really think about that stuff," Harper said. "I just try to play the years out and do everything I can to help my team win. But don't sell me short. That's what you're doing right now to me, so don't do that. I'm looking forward to just playing this year, just looking forward to playing the next couple years. And I think all that stuff will play out."