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Report: Nationals don't plan to give Harper a Machado-type megadeal

G Fiume / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Washington Nationals' chances of re-signing Bryce Harper appear to be low and it may come down to money.

After reportedly seeing their 10-year, $300-million offer rejected before the end of the 2018 regular season, the Nationals have no plans to give Harper a megadeal comparable to the one Manny Machado reportedly agreed to with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, sources told Todd Zolecki, Mark Feinsand, and Jamal Collier of MLB.com.

Washington's original $300-million offer included roughly $100 million in deferred money, which would have lowered the present-day value of the contract, sources told MLB.com.

Harper may be looking for more money, anyway, as he reportedly rejected offers worth north of $300 million from several teams in recent weeks.

While it's unknown which teams Harper turned down, the Philadelphia Phillies have ramped up their discussions with him and his agent Scott Boras over the past couple of weeks, MLB.com adds.

Other teams linked to Harper throughout the offseason include the Padres, Chicago White Sox, and San Francisco Giants.

The White Sox are out of the Harper sweepstakes, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. The Giants only appear interested in a lucrative short-term deal, and the Padres have already committed to Machado.

Harper, a six-time All-Star and 2015 NL MVP, hit .249/.393/.496 with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs in 159 games last season for the Nationals.

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