Nationals LF Bryce Harper, "arguably the most visible and marketed face" of the franchise, "was a no-show Saturday at the team’s annual NatsFest, and General Manager Mike Rizzo did not hide his displeasure," according to James Wagner of the WASHINGTON POST. Harper and the Nationals were previously "scheduled to take part in a grievance hearing over his eligibility for arbitration" tomorrow in N.Y. before agreeing to a new contract last night. Rizzo: "We’re disappointed he’s not here, but he chose not to be here because of the grievance." However, Harper in a statement said he "was unable to attend this year’s event due to matters out of my control. I look forward to next year’s NatsFest." Rizzo's remark Saturday "was unusually strong for a general manager discussing a team’s rising young star at an event tailored for its fans" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/14). In DC, Thom Loverro wrote Harper "showed by his refusal to attend the
event -- a chance for Nationals player to personally connect with the
team’s fans -- that this is about business." His decision not to attend
"was personal," and it "hurt the families who lined up in the Washington
Convention Center" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 12/14). Meanwhile, FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal reports Harper "has agreed to a new two-year deal" with the franchise and as a result "will avoid" tomorrow's grievance hearing (FOXSPORTS.com, 12/15). ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick notes Harper's two-year deal is for $7.5M (ESPN.com, 12/15).
