Rizzo: Negotiating a new deal with Harper likely a "unique and special situation"

NASHVILLE - Bryce Harper blitzed through a historic season at the plate, resulting in his first National League Most Valuable Player award along with several others accolades. At 23, Harper became the fourth-youngest player in the game's storied history recognized as MVP and he emphatically introduced himself to the conversation as arguably the best player in baseball.

After battling nagging injuries the previous two seasons that cost numerous games on the shelf, Harper avoided the disabled list in 2015. The consequence was devastating for opposing pitchers as the slugger led the majors in on-base percentage (.460), slugging percentage (.649), OPS (1.109) and WAR (9.9). Harper's 42 homers tied for the NL lead and his .330 batting average was second-best in the league.

In just his fourth season in the majors, Harper became one of 11 players in big league history to slash .330/.460/.649 with at least 40 homers, grouping him with legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle and Barry Bonds.

But along with joy of Harper bringing the first MVP to the franchise came a heavy blanket of anxiety of just how long the phenom would actually play in the nation's capital. Harper has three years remaining on his contract and many believe he'll jump for the big dollars of Yankee pinstripes or Dodger blue when his deal expires following the 2018 season. In fact, those sentiments have existed since the Nationals made him the top pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft as a 17-year-old.

"I'm definitely excited about the upcoming years and very excited to further my career as a National," Harper said moments after winning the MVP 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."

The monumental contract is expected to shatter previous deals in sports. Harper's agent, Scott Boras, will likely aim for an astronomical payday for his client exceeding $400 million over 10-plus years.

At his daily media session at the Winter Meetings, general manager Mike Rizzo was asked when the Nationals plan to spark up contract talks with Harper.

"We've got quite a bit of control left on him," Rizzo said. "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."

The Nationals' $162 million payroll last season was sixth-highest in the majors, but that lofty figure is expected to drop significantly in 2016 with the departure of free agents Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister, Ian Desmond and Denard Span.

This Harper train doesn't seem like it will slow down. In fact, his sensational season in 2015 came without star hitters Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth consistently surrounding him in the lineup due to injuries. If that trio can remain healthy and Michael A. Taylor improves his on-base percentage, Harper should pile on homers and RBIs.

This offseason may be the time to lock him up and not risk the frenzy getting out of control after another mammoth year.

Rizzo was also asked about whether the Nationals are interested in extending right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who will be a free agent after the 2016 season.

"We've always tried to think about our core players, to extend them to contracts," Rizzo said. "We tried to with several of the players that have left us for free agency in the past. I can see we would do the same for him."

Do you think the Nats should enter contract talks with Harper this winter? How about an extension for Strasburg?