JAN. 3: The Nationals have announced the deal.
JAN. 2: The Nationals have agreed to a deal with free agent right-hander Will Harris, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter link). The contract is a three-year pact worth $24MM, as per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale (via Twitter). Harris is represented by agent Gavin Kahn.
Reports from earlier today suggested that Harris could be nearing a signing, as he had multi-year offers on the table from more than one team. Though Harris has a long track record of success, a three-year commitment is significant considering that the righty turned 35 last August, and only two other relievers (Drew Pomeranz and Will Smith) received three or more guaranteed years in free agency this offseason. MLBTR projected a two-year, $18MM deal for Harris, as we ranked him 22nd on our list of the winter’s top 50 free agents.
The three-year pact was a major factor for Harris, as he told Mark Berman of KRIV Fox 26 (Twitter links). “The Nationals knew the importance of [the three-year deal] and they kept that on the table & made the decision that much easier,” Harris said. “We agreed to terms last weekend. From the beginning of the process the Nationals were pretty high on me. The interest was mutual.”
While Harris’ age is a natural question mark, he has a pretty clean injury history, with only two IL stints (totaling around six weeks in 2017 due to shoulder inflammation) over his nine MLB seasons. In that time, he has quietly posted some outstanding numbers, particularly as a member of Houston’s bullpen from 2015-19. Harris has a 2.36 ERA, 4.38 K/BB rate, and 9.5 K/9 over 297 innings, averaging 59 frames per season.
As you might expect from an Astros pitcher, Harris had an outstanding spin rate (96th percentile) on his fastball in 2019. His Statcast metrics also place him among the league’s best in curveball spin, hard-hit ball percentage, and xwOBA (.235, with only a .269 wOBA). Harris has also been consistently good at keeping the ball on the ground during his career, with a 49.6% grounder rate.
Unfortunately for Harris, the most famous pitch of his career is one that he couldn’t keep out of the air — the low fastball that Howie Kendrick just got enough of, as Kendrick launched Harris’ offering off the right field foul pole for the homer that put the Nationals ahead in Game Seven of last year’s World Series. In some unique baseball irony, Harris will now be joining the team that caused that bad memory, and he’ll even be sharing a clubhouse with Kendrick (who re-signed with the Nats on a one-year deal).
Clearly there aren’t any hard feelings on Harris’ part, and the Nationals are undoubtedly happy to add such a highly-touted reliever to their bullpen. Washington’s relief corps was a well-publicized mess for much of last season, before Daniel Hudson’s late-season emergence helped stabilize the pen enough to take the Nats through the postseason. Harris will lineup behind closer Sean Doolittle in 2020, and Harris’ presence now means that he’ll essentially replace Hudson in the District’s pen, Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post tweets. The Nats were willing to give Hudson more than a one-year guarantee but not more than $6.5MM in average annual value, so they instead spent some extra money to land a more consistent reliever in Harris.
After re-signing Kendrick, Stephen Strasburg, and Yan Gomes, Harris represents the first major new face to join the Nationals this offseason. The bullpen was unquestionably a major need for the Nats, who also have to figure out vacancies at third base in the wake of Anthony Rendon’s departure, second base, and first base, though Kendrick will be deployed around the infield in some manner and star prospect Carter Kieboom is expected to play a bigger role in 2020.
The $8MM average annual value of Harris’ deal brings Washington’s estimated luxury tax number to just under $184MM, as per Jason Martinez of Roster Resource. The Nats are still reportedly in the hunt for Josh Donaldson, whose market is now rumored to be in the four-year, $100MM range. Landing Donaldson, therefore, would put the Nats either right up against or slightly over the $208MM tax threshold, though since the club got under the threshold last season, they would be taxed at only a first-timer rate if they surpassed $208MM this season. The Nationals slightly exceeded the Competitive Balance Tax line in both 2017 and 2018, though they stayed in the lowest penalty zone (less than $20MM in overage).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
If you can’t beat them, join them!
Gnats must have found out donaldson is going back to ATL and burning that money in their pocket..
I think not. He’s going to minny just you watch
Yea not happening he will take 4/95 from Atl before he takes the 4/106 twins have offered
Yeah… Rjcollings is right. Josh Donaldson has made it VERY well known that his preference is to sign with the Braves over any team in baseball. The only question was whether the Braves would go 4 years and now they have (which BTW I was the first person to report that on this site several days ago and everyone bashed me. Now is is proven true.) The Braves have to be THE front runner to get Donaldson now once you consider his Atlanta preference and the 4 year offer I reported (even though it was ignored at the time which made me second guess myself and even I doubted it… But MLBTR should have known better.)
On another note:
What is with the Nationals signing old guys to extended contracts? Harris is great but he is 35 years old and just got a 3 year deal. When relief pitchers tank, they TANK. I don’t think anyone thinks Harrisbwill be an good at all during his age 37 season. This seems like a remake of the contract Darren O’Day signed with the Orioles. My guess is Harris will be great to start next season and tail off. He will be not very good by the end of next season considering he is pushing 36 years old at that point. Then the Nata have to pay Harris $8 mill a year for 2 years to just flat out suck due to advanced age. Once you consider the fact that Strasburg earns $35 million a year through the same amount of time, it begs the question: Why is DC going so old? I feel like it is because Lerner is so old he wants to try and win as many WS before he dies that he couldn’t care less how the team functions afterwards. The Nats never even came close to winning their division last year and they just spent more money to replace their best player (Rendon) with a 35 year old relief pitcher (Harris). The Nats just got older and significantly worse. In the meantime they paid Strasburg and even Kendrick more than they are going to be worth. Congrats on your Championship Nats fans. That is a very awesome accomplishment that no one can ever take away from you. Unfortunately, It’s not going to happen again any time soon. You don’t get older on long term contracts while getting better. At least when it comes to players that are this much older while also losing Rendon.
I don’t disagree that the Nats window is almost up, but Harris isn’t a bad signing. I think they should be pushing as hard as they can right now to try to win in the next 2 years. You’re right the 3rd year is concerning, but at that point scherzer is going to free agency which frees up money and trea turner is in his last year.
The nats have deferred so much money already that they kinda have to push to win right now. And Harris is a solid bullpen piece that helps one of their biggest weaknesses.
Yeah. I actually kind of agree with you, Albies. The Nats have a good team and the end is near no matter what due to the contracts they have been signing every top player to. They might as well go for it as hard as they can and screw the future pootch even more since it’s already screwed anyway. Especially with the team owner on his way out of earthly existence. He wants as many championships in his lifetime and I don’t blame him. My only thing is that they are screweing their future even more while also getting worse. Like I said before, they lost Rendon and their biggest replacement for him is a 35 year old non-closer relief pitcher. That’s not good. Especially when you consider the fact that the Nats gave him 2 years at $8 million per during an age that a lot of very good players turn absolutely horrible. I think the Nats are ignoring the future and going after next season without regard. It begs the question, though: If they were gonna do that, then why not just re-sign Rendon? I know it is more money but everyone knows the future is screwed anyways. Why even consider paying Strasburg the same amount Rendon gets and then walking away from Rendon? Rendon is younger and better and the future is screwed anyway. If Lerner is going to ruin the Nats future and try to win it all, why not actually try to win it all? Either be a good businessman or try to win it all with no consideration of business since you don’t have much time left. What’s the point of splitting the difference? Especially when it makes your team simultaneously older and worse?
There aren’t exactly any 26 year old superstars on the market. Even signing Rendon would have put him at 37 at end of the contract. That’s the nature of free agency, it skews older. JD about to get a 4-yr deal at 34. The Nats will be competitive. Soto, Robles and Turner are all under 30. Keiboom will likely get 2B as another young guy and thats half your starting -8 for defense. Zimmerman will re-sign but if they miss on JD I’m sure Rizzo will pivot to someone slightly younger or trade for someone like Seager in Seattle. Under no circumstance will he trade Robles IMO. The future isn’t ruined. Rizzo and Nats have 1, 3 and 5 year plans always. Remember they had the second most division championships (4) and wins this past decade behind the Dodgers. The front office is more than competent considering their history.
Nobody seems to understand the deferred money thing. It’s not like the money Scherzer is going to be getting in 2030 is going to count against the Nats payroll. That’s not how it works. As soon as Scherzer was signed they put that money aside in an account. Essentially what the Lerners are doing is earning interest on somebody else’s money. It is going to have absolutely no bearing on future teams. Your other points are perfectly valid but much too much gets made about this deferred money thing.
If Atl has a four year deal like you reported why hasn’t he just signed with them then
Because he’s going to the highest bidder. Delusional Braves fans think he’s going to give them a hometown discount. He’s only played there one season. It’s not like he’s spent his entire career there. And there is nothing wrong with the Harris signing. The Nats have had bullpen problems and they’re trying to address them. Pitchers age differently than hitters anyway.
Who other than Scherzer and Strasburg are deferred?
Harris said they agreed last weekend… so who knows. Josh is sitting pretty though
That was the first thing I thought
Great pickup, Nats bullpen was trash last year and Harris is a good pickup. If they get Hudson back that’ll be a good 7/8th and 9th inning guys
Hudson is unlikely now
They still have the money. Especially if they don’t sign JD. Hudson wants 3 years. Shouldn’t get two with arm history but someone will give it to him
It’s pretty crazy how two or three moves turns a trash bullpen into a pretty solid one, but you’re right. They look pretty good on paper right now.
What 2 or 3 moves? They signed Harris instead of Hudson. That’s it. How does signing a 35 year old RP help a trash bullpen go to pretty good on paper now, especially knowing he means they won’t be bringing back the only constant force last year for them in the pen in Hudson?
I was commenting on the previous comment which mentioned the possibility of getting Hudson back as well.
Finnegan.
Hudson is 99% gone and he is so up and down.
Downvote
Look mommy, I downvoted today!
Cool. What Hudson did in DC was fantastic but if you think thats who he is long term I have a timeshare in Idaho to sell you.
I guess if a lefty didn’t run the site, we would still be able to see downvotes instead of having to announce them? Censorship sucks, we can’t even comment on the domestic violence story.
Get a life dude
megaj What’s the point of them leaving the comments on the DV story open? Yeah a bit of mature civil discussion might happen but it would go south quick. Always does. If you want to get into a pointless argument with other people online I’m sure there’s somewhere else you can go.
@ Rocket- It wasn’t a random comment or insult genius. I was just responding to the one who was making fun of the other guy “downvoting”, which we all know why we can’t do anymore. I am the one being civil, you are obviously triggered by what I said…which was nothing offensive. People like you telling others to leave are the problem. I am not going anywhere little fella. And who on earth said I wanted to argue with anyone? And who cares if it goes south? Every thread on this board does that, its free speech.
If you want to comment on a domestic violence article so bad, you want to fight. A domestic violence article will be a fight. You want to engage in a big food fight. Because that’s all it would be.
Oh, cuz you said so?
So Mark Feinsand’s reports weren’t BS, nice.
Me gusta. Get Hudson next. Probably not getting Donaldson so load up on relief pitching and versatile IF’s like Starlin Castro, etc
Hudson is unlikely
@Stanley
Let the man dream lol
Castro would play well in that line up for 1/4 of Donaldson price. I like that potential move
This is the first time I’ve even heard Castro’s name mentioned this winter, but he would make a lot of sense for WAS if they miss on Donaldson. Won’t cost a fortune in dollars or years.
Cool with Castro. Would like Asdrubal back.
I think the fact that they gave Harris a 3 year deal means that the Nats don’t believe that Hudson is the long term answer for them. They will either sign him to a shorter deal or not at all.
Wow. Didn’t see this one coming. Good on the Nats. They lost Rendon, but strengthened other areas. Nats bullpen was a weakness during the regular season last year, but this helps alleviate that issue. Nats and Braves are still in great shape for 2020. NL East is going to be really tough.
Is he their new closer? Or perhaps more of a 8th/9th inning matchup situation dictating him or Doolittle?
Tried him at closer with mixed results. Much better utilized as a 7th/8th inning, high leverage spot.
The article implies he will be the primary setup man and Doolittle will close but performance over the course of the season could easily reverse those roles
The Dodgers should have been all over this guy.
This was the only area the Dodgers needed to upgrade. The bullpen and manager and they did neither.
I mean, they got Treinen a while ago.
Bullpen and manager. That’s two.
That’s a little pricey, But he has been great.
Some tough relievers in the NL East
Great pickup by Nationals. Ever since he changed his arsenal to cutter-curveball he has been a beast. As a Phillies fan I wanted him badly.
Seems baffling that the Phils weren’t all over Harris. I do think the Phillies bullpen will be in better shape this year just with guys getting healthy, but Harris (or Betances) still would’ve been a nice fit.
Granite 3 years might be too much for the Phillies considering their past history with aging relievers. I think it’s a decent bullpen when everyone’s healthy, but guys like Pivetta and Irvin make the bullpen according to Roster Resource.
The Phillies management is stuck in mud or concrete.
Pivetta is a failed experiment. I really think he just needs a fresh start elsewhere.
Sound like they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place to me.
Astros shaking
LMAO! Still hungover from New Year’s, eh?!..
wym
Shaking is the new banging.
Shaking their heads that he got such a huge contract.
Good for the Nats. Going to three years and still paying an AAV of $8M to a 35 year old reliever is probably a big gamble but they can compete again these next two years – so that third year doesn’t really matter.
Good pickup though I’m concerned about his 3rd year at that age.
Must of had a lot of interest to get a 3 year deal. Good for the Nats, especially this season.
Rizzo doesn’t leak.
Great move, Nats could repeat
LMAO!
Man money talks, this guys gonna see his new team get rings that they got because of him. For 24 million I’d hand them to them personally
I’m sure the Astros would have liked to have him back, but they weren’t going to give him anything close to what the Nats did.
Fills a hole, but need another leftie.
6/7th–Suero/Rainey
8th–Harris
9th–Doo
Not bad
That’s what she said.
Keep Suero and Rainey in the closing mix – great arms and with injuries they’ll be needed.
After losing Cishek, Kintzler, Strop, and even Edwards earlier last season the Cubs were depleted of decent relievers, so I thought this was a no-brainer. Only Wick, Wieck, Ryan, and Kimbrel are viable relievers at this point. With no moves made whatsoever right now Chatwood or Alzolay will be competing for the 5th rotation spot, which also weakens the pen.
As of Jan. 2 = Weakest rotation in the league.
Still need bullpen help.
Still need viable lead off man to man CF or 2B.
No attempt whatsoever to either compete or rebuild in 2020.
Even if Ricketts ordered a total halt on spending, there were moves that could have been made. How about a package deal trade of Quintana and Contreras? A ton of teams would have jumped on that and coughed up a lot of prospects for that one. Then later, a Bryant trade almost certainly gets back a starter or young arm more talented than the departed Quintana with at least one more prospect. So now you have an improved rotation, a bunch of young talent for the future, and 30M off the books. I know its a complicated business, but even with my limited knowledge this was EXTREMELY doable and obvious to me. Trading of Contreras, Bryant, and Quintana nets the biggest haul of prospects and takes the most cash off the boards. Hell if Chatwood or Alzolay looks good first half, maybe some team even takes Lester off their hands at the break.
Congrats to the Nationals!
got impatient waiting for a cubs rumor I see
Lol, no it is not even the weakest rotation in the division. Hell it might be 2nd best behind the Reds. The amount of blown leads and mental mistakes late in games can be fixed. The Cubs are not broken. I think the same was being said about the Nationals at the beginning of the season last year. Also, you have no idea what they are doing or thinking.
Yeah, I agree. I knew they weren’t going to be major players in free agency this year, but Harris was the one guy I wanted. We all know how rough the pen was last season outside of a few guys and he really would have helped as a veteran who knows his role. I am definitely worried about the pen going into spring training and starting to get a little worried overall about the no move off season. I figure a trade (or two) is coming in the next week or two. The convention is in two weeks and I would suspect something goes down before that.
Nice signing by Washington and hopefully they can still be trade partners for Bryant if Donaldson signs with Atlanta or Minnesota.
Awesome. While that’s a good move for the Nats, it puts them around 185 for the luxury tax. Going to be hard to sign Donaldson without going over, not to mention they still need a few other positions. I’m all for that.
They go over the luxury tax and sign a QO like Donaldson they would lose their first pick and international money too. Very expensive.
Last year was first in a while NOT over the threshold, so it has reset.
With the short window with the SPs, they will go over.
Nice pickup nats.
Not surprised that it took offering a third year to get him.
I like it. Pitch to Kendrick wasn’t a bad one at all. Give Howie credit for a good swing. Harris was also really good with the Astros overall
3 years yikes..but he’s the best reliever left on the market. Considering you never really know what you get from a bp arm year to year.
Mets will regret this
At least 18 times next year.
Very good move for the Nats. I’m hoping the ChiSox grab either Cieshek or bring Hudson back.
Ah man. I hate how good this signing is lol. #GoBraves
Great move for the Nats
Yeah but I think they’re gonna regret that third year
nah
the third year is his trade year to get prospects back in the system
Hope it doesn’t go bad…..
Nice job by the Nationals. They needed bullpen help badly and they went out and got a good one. Great to know that Harris won’t be in the AL
3 years for a 35 year old ? I don’t think so
Nats might regret this one. Perhaps he hit a wall by the World Series (no pun intended), but he didn’t look right.
Great signing. Tip of the cap. The 3rd year is what kept Harris on the market for so long. I don’t see any issue giving it to him because hes not a guy that gets people out with “stuff”. He’s a crafty reliever that has exceptional spin rate and uses his off speed very well.
So an article yesterday on here that Harris had 2 year offers for 6-7 million per year. Now the Nationals sign him for 3 years at 8 million per year. That certainly went up quick. Seems like a pretty big overpay.
You never know what else was going on behind the scenes…
There could easily have been another team putting together a 3 year deal that was in the 7mm range. There may have been a two year offer at 8 per that we did not (yet) hear about
Extra mil is peanuts considering their bullpen woes.
Nats have positioned themselves to win 2020. Harris was the best reliever left on the market. Donaldson could be the piece that puts a team over the east; I still think Rizzo now has his eyes on Bryant, he is the best move since he will only be for 2 years.
Update: Word out of Philadelphia pertaining to current offseason improvements in their bullpen:
Go Cubs Go
Lame and annoying spam.
Que the ding ding ding for my predictions
So how does THIS Nationals contract break down? Is it $24 million dollars spread out over 24 million days?
Ugh… if the nats could please just disappear. Braves owned y’all last year and I should feel good about that going into next season… but y’all did somehow win the World Series. So idk. Wish y’all would just go away, stop making good moves.