Well yes.Has a stench of “Fine, I’ll take your money.”
Harper by every account really enjoyed living and playing here, and notwithstanding his often reckless style of play does not strike me as a Philly kind of guy.
The problem with divining what “Washington” intended when it made its offer is there is no monolithic Washington. There is ownership, then there is the GM and executive suite.
Little doubt in my mind that Rizzo wanted to move on, and for the reasons outlined in Boswell’s article, reasonably so. Rizzo had Harper dealt to the Astros at the deadline; ownership said no.
So far Lerner’s kid is siding with Rizzo on this. The train has left the station. But until it’s done, it’s not done. You have to account for the patriarch.
I don’t expect Harper to return here. But I would not be shocked if he did.