The Phillies are determined to get a deal done with Bryce Harper, but they may have to wait a little longer.
Owner John Middleton was determined to get a deal agreed to Saturday, according to a report from USA Today, but it doesn't look like that will happen.
The #Phillies are in deep and serious negotiations with Bryce Harper. Owner John Middleton doesn’t want to leave Las Vegas without a deal.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 24, 2019
Middleton's plane was initially reported to be heading back east, according to NBCS Philly.
John Middleton spent good amount of time in Vegas today but it looks like his plane is headed back East https://t.co/Nq5lgzAoze
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 24, 2019
However, a further report from USA Today said Middleton was still in Las Vegas and there was optimism a deal could get done by Monday.
Philadelphia #Phillies owner John Middleton still in Las Vegas with Bryce Harper negotiations and optimism now is that 10-year deal with Bryce Harper is finalized by Monday afternoon.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 24, 2019
The White Sox and Padres are reportedly still involved in discussions with the All-Star as well.
For now, it does not appear Harper will be agreeing to a deal Saturday, much to the chagrin of Middleton.
As all of this is going down, Harper's asking price is becoming clear as well. The six-time All-Star is asking for a $350-million to $360-million deal, according to Fancred Sports.
Manny Machado got $300 million from the Padres, but Harper is reportedly telling teams he is worth more money because of his marketability as well as his talent.
Harper asking price is said by some involved teams to be in 350/360M range. The case is that while Harper and Machado may be comparable on field and similar age, Harper has real value off field due to cachet/fame. Some owners concede this tho some claim it’s “hard to quantify”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 24, 2019
In addition to that, there is apparently a second team in Las Vegas negotiating with Harper, according to Fancred Sports.
It is unclear who that team is.
While Phillies are seen as the favorite (and may well be), team Harper has been negotiating in Vegas with two teams who were there to see Bryce today, “with more to follow”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 24, 2019
Update 10:56 p.m. ET: Now Middleton is on the way back for real, according to Fancred Sports.
Middleton is now on his way back east, reports @JSalisburyNBCS this was the expectation yesterday. Middleton was not expected to close the deal in this meeting https://t.co/laztc3Emsc
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 24, 2019