NL East Notes: Harper, Sale, Creek

After recovering from Tommy John surgery that required him to move to first base last season, Bryce Harper He took well enough to his new position Velez It was announced in November that Harper would be the team's first baseman in 2024 and beyond. The two-time NL MVP spoke to reporters (including… Athlete Matt GelbRegarding the situation today, he said:I wanted them to know that I was on board with anything they wanted to do“And that Harper left the decision regarding his position to the club.”I said if you want me in right field, I'll play right field. If you want me to start, I'll play first base. They said, I think collectively, first base is where we want you. So I said, 'Okay, I'll do my best to be there.'said Harper. He is now spending his spring training working on what appears to be his new permanent position, noting that “I don't think I'll ever go back to the right. Me, no. But never say never“.

Harper has also confirmed that he is interested in extending his contract, as agent Scott Boras stated in December. The idea surprised many given that Harper still has eight seasons and $196 million remaining on his original 13-year, $330 million contract, and will turn 39 in October 2031. While Harper said “I didn't really think much“Put his contract in, he said so.”Playing into my 40s, I mean that's the biggest thing for me. So I want to get this doneIt remains to be seen if Harper, Boras and the Phillies can reach some sort of deal to add two years (or more?) to Harper's contract, but president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has downplayed the idea of ​​renegotiating.

More from around the NL East…

• Chris Sale He suffered through several seasons full of injuries, but the winter of 2023-24.”It was the first time we've gone into the offseason without dealing with something since 2018 or something like that,” the new Brave said the novice Athlete David O'Brien And other reporters. “it has been a long time. I had a lot of fun this season, being able to play baseball and do things that I couldn't doBy acquiring Sale from the Red Sox and then signing him to a two-year extension, the Braves are putting a lot of faith in the southpaw being ready to rebound as he enters his age-35 season. Atlanta even considered acquiring Sale during the 2023 season, according to By director Brian Snitker.
• Mets Savior Kyle Creek He is recovering from a Grade 4 calf strain and may not start throwing bullpen until near the end of spring camp, MLB.com Anthony DiComo He writes. New York signed Krek to a minor league deal in December, and he has no problem fielding the minors at the start of the season, given that his injury will apparently prevent him from making the opening roster. Crick posted a 3.56 ERA over 187 1/3 relief innings with the Giants, Pirates and White Sox from 2017-22, though he did not play in 2023 until he appeared in the Dominican Winter League a few months ago.
• There's enough going on within the division that this is the second installment of today's NL East Notes. Earlier, Nick Deeds put together another collection of items on the Marlins, Phillies, Nationals, and Braves.