As the Bryce Harper story continues to unfold, one very interesting development has been the re-emergence of the Nationals as a frontrunner. After more or less bidding adieu to him following his declination of a 10-year, $300 million contract offer, the Nats have recently been very active in talks with their prodigal son. Harper and Scott Boras reportedly met with owner Ted Lerner for five hours sans GM Mike Rizzo, which hearkens back to something Boras had mentioned at the Winter Meetings.
The 93-year-old Lerner no has the heaviest hand in the Nats’ activities, ceding much of that control his son Mark, but he still wields power and as been known to make unilateral decisions on big contracts.