Report: Nationals, Bryce Harper Avoid Grievance Hearing; Settle on 2015 Salary

WASHINGTON (CBSDC) - The Washington Nationals and Bryce Harper have avoided a grievance hearing over his 2015 salary, with both sides having reached a settlement, Adam Kilgore reported for The Washington Post on Monday morning.

With a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in New York, the situation appeared tenuous over the weekend when Harper elected not to attend NatsFest at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday.

'We're disappointed he's not here,' Rizzo told reporters. 'But he chose not to be here because of the grievance.'

'I have attended NatsFest each year and always enjoy my experience with the fans,' Harper said, according to James Wagner, 'but was unable to attend this year's event due to matters out of my control. I look forward to next year's NatsFest.'

The dispute precipitating the hearing dates back to 2010, according to Kilgore, when Harper and the Nationals reached an oral agreement within moments of the Major League Baseball-imposed midnight deadline for teams to sign that year's draft picks. Harper, the top pick in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft, and his agent, Scott Boras, reportedly agreed after an opt-out clause was added into Harper's already five-year, $9.9 million Major League deal, although the Nationals contended the inclusion of the clause.

That clause would allow Harper to enter the salary arbitration system at an early age, the results of which could mean millions in added earnings for Harper compounded after each season.

Here's more on how that dispute had put the two parties in line for a grievance hearing, via Adam Kilgore:

Days later, the Nationals presented a final written contract that did not contain an opt-out clause. Anticipating the possibility that Harper, at the time 17, could reach the majors sooner than expected, Boras and the Harper family refused to sign it.At that time, Major League Baseball and the players association took the unusual step of interceding with a compromise: a letter of agreement stating that, if Harper qualified for salary arbitration before he reached the end of the contract, a grievance hearing would determine whether he could opt out of his contract.

It remains unclear on what salary the two sides settled for Harper in 2015.

Update (Monday at 8:30 a.m.):

Source: Harper, #Nationals agreed on two-year deal.

- Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 15, 2014

I have confirmed that OF Bryce Harper has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the #Nationals. #Nats #MLB

- William Ladson (@washingnats) December 15, 2014

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