Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is a .300/.366/.638 career hitter at Citizens Bank Park with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs through 35 games. ( Matthew Straubmuller /Flickr Creative Commons)

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper may not be a free agent until after the 2018 season, but clubs around Major League Baseball are already gauging their interest to sign what is expected to be the largest contract in league history.

According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees appear to be the "most logical landing spots" for the 24-year-old if he chooses to not re-sign with Washington.

Heyman writes:

If not the Nats, the Yankees and Phillies do appear to be the most logical landing spots, and you hear them a lot in connection with Harper, as both teams are in rebuilds now (the Yankees’ is more of a modified rebuild) and have deep pockets, though one deeper than the other. Harper won’t discuss other teams (though it’s well documented he was a Yankees fan as a kid, for what that’s worth, and I’ve heard Yankees people more than once mention that fact) but he gushes about the Nats. “I enjoy Washington and playing in that historic town of monuments,” Harper said. “I love driving on 395 and getting off at the exit. It’s home. I love standing out in right field and hearing the cheers. I don’t hear those anywhere else.”

Heyman describes the Phillies as a "top revenue team," given their 25-year, $2.5 billion television contract with Comcast SportsNet signed in January 2014. “We know the more significant investments are coming,” Phillies Vice President and General Manager Matt Klentak told Heyman. “It’s more a matter of when and not if. That’ll be dictated by the development of the team. I have no doubt our ownership group will make the necessary commitments.”

Harper made his big league debut at the age of 19 on April 28, 2012. Through five seasons, he has 121 home runs and 334 RBIs, four All-Star selections, and a Silver Slugger Award. He was also named National League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in 2012 and 2015, respectively.

The Phillies have just $5.35 million committed for the 2019 season, according to Spotrac. It appears a run at a top free agent is all but inevitable.

(h/t Joe Giglio, NJ.com)