Harper, Phils reach 13-year deal

[Bagwell-1994]

Originally Posted by packs

13 years and no opt out is crazy. They still need a rotation behind Nola to compete though. If Bryce wants a championship he was better off in Washington.

Maybe. But looking at 2018 stats, it's pretty much a "push" IMO.

Nationals Top Starters:
Max Scherzer ERA 2.53
Tanner Roark ERA 4.34
Gio Gonzalez ERA 4.57
Stephen Strasburg ERA 3.74
Jeremy Hellickson ERA 3.45

Team Overall ERA: 4.04 WHIP 1.25 SAVES 40

Phillies Top Starters:
Aaron Nola ERA 2.37
Jake Arrieta ERA 3.96
Nick Pivetta ERA 4.77
Vince Velasquez ERA 4.85
Zach Eflin ERA 4.36

Team Overall ERA: 4.14 WHIP 1.29 SAVES 44

The overall pitching performance of both teams was nearly identical with Washington posting a slightly better ERA and WHIP. The Phillies seem to be generally younger (at least with regard to the pitching staff, the hitting line ups both pose a wealth of young talent) so there's more room for growth/improvement among the Phillies rotation.

I think the Braves are who Bryce and co. may be competing against more so than the Nats. Their 2018 team stats: ERA: 3.75 WHIP 1.28 SAVES 40 were outstanding and posted an even better team ERA than the Mets (despite their superb starting rotation and Cy Young winner deGrom). The Braves have several young core hitters posed to do big things and with perennial all-star production from Freddie Freeman, they seem to be the class of the NL East until proven otherwise IMO.