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$400 Million Man: Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper demands record deal

By Alex Butler
Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper reacts after being tagged out at second as he attempts to steal against the New York Mets at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on September 14, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
1 of 3 | Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper reacts after being tagged out at second as he attempts to steal against the New York Mets at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on September 14, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- One of baseball's best players might take a walk next season, but probably not in the way you think.

The Washington Nationals could let 2015 National League MVP stroll to a new team, after Harper's recent demands included a deal exceeding 10 years and in excess of $400 million, according to USA TODAY.

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Bob Nightengale reported that a "high-ranking Nationals executive" spoke on the condition of anonymity about Harper's proposed demands.

Harper's agent, Scott Boras, told Nightengale that the only "active negotiations of late" included a one-year deal for next season. The 24-year-old made $5 million this season and is eligible for arbitration through 2018. He is a free agent in 2019.

Harper was the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year. During his 2015 MVP campaign, he crushed a league-leading 42 home runs, while hitting .330 and scoring a league-high 118 runs. He also raked league highs in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. He hit a career-worst .243 this season with 24 home runs and 86 RBI in 147 games, but led the league with 20 intentional walks.

After suffering a neck injury last season, Harper sat out five games. He also played through an alleged shoulder injury. In October, Boras told Jon Morosi of MLB Network that Harper is "doing fine physically and is on track to begin normal offseason strength and conditioning soon."

Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton signed a 13-year, $325 million contract extension for baseball's biggest deal 2014.

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