Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: how to get Bryce Harper

Policy Wonking

As a rule, the Braves’ franchise has not offered No Trade clauses, opt-outs, or anything of the sort that would serve to either limit team control or limit team planning ability.

At least one of those traditions might have to be violated for this special case, though… and the reason for that is easy:  the Braves probably would want Harper to leave for free agency as soon as possible.

For the purposes of this exercise, let’s assume that Atlanta does not acquire J.T. Realmuto.  I wasn’t going to mention his name today… I apologize for that… but while I still think he’s the main target, the acquisition and extension of Realmuto could be high on the Braves’ To Do list… whether Ben thinks it’s a good idea or not :).

If that happens, then this Harper idea is done.  But if not…

That’s Just Swell

The “SwellOpt” is the new phrase catching fire among those In The Know around baseball this Winter… an option taken if all is “swell”.  At least that’s what Scott Boras would have you believe.

Here’s an example from earlier in the off-season:

"Japanese pitcher [Yusei Kikuchi] signed a contract with the Mariners that guarantees him four years and $56 million ($14M AAV), but it’s actually much more complicated than that. It starts out as a three-year, $43 million ($14.33M AAV) deal with a team option for an additional four years at $66 million ($15.57M AAV). If the team opts not to exercise that option, Kikuchi can either trigger the fourth year at $13 million to get to that initial guarantee or he can opt out and become a free agent."

So if the player is doing well, the team can choose to add the second phase of the contract.  If not, then the player gets a choice to immediately hit the market again or accept what amounts to a ‘pillow’ contract to allow him a year to re-build his value until hitting free agency again.

So what might that look like for Harper?  I’m so glad you asked…