Nationals owner Mark Lerner: 'We've moved on' from Bryce Harper

The Washington Nationals have "moved on" from free agent Bryce Harper. 

Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner said Friday he hasn't heard from Harper's agent Scott Boras in months and couldn't wait any longer for a decision.

"Nothing's certainly changed on our end," Lerner told NBC Sports Washington. "We've moved on. As I said back then and we had to. There was no way we could wait around. Bryce, I'm sure will make his decision hopefully in the next few days, but we've filled out our roster and like I said, we wish him nothing but the best."

While Lerner hasn't shut the door completely on potentially re-signing Harper, it's less likely considering the lack of discussion. 

MLB SALARIES: Baseball's top 25 highest-paid players in 2024

"But there's always that, the door's cracked a little bit," he said. "I have no clue at this point what they're up to. We really haven't heard from them in a couple months."

Harper has been rumored to be headed to the Philadelphia Phillies, however the San Francisco Giants – and even the San Diego Padres – remain in contention. 

In November, USA TODAY Sports reported Harper rejected a 10-year, $300 million offer from the Nationals, where he spent the last seven years.

The Nationals appear to be content with Juan Soto, Victor Robles and Adam Eaton manning the outfield. And they spent $140 million for free agent pitcher Patrick Corbin.

Meanwhile, Manny Machado, the other highly coveted free agent this winter, signed the biggest free agent deal in history – a 10-year, $300 million deal – with the Padres.