Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies was all about the money this off-season, as all he wanted was to be the highest paid player in all of professional sports. He signed a 13-year, 330 million dollar deal. His former team, the Nationals, offered him a lengthy contract worth almost 500 million. but Harper wanted to test the free agent instead of staying with the team he was drafted by; the team who he was the face of. Harper was more concerned with the money rather than keeping the promise he made to the people of D.C.: bring a championship.

Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves took a completely different approach than Bryce Harper did. Ozzie Albies wanted to stay with the team that drafted him and was not concerned with the money. Albies signed a 7-year deal worth only 35 million dollars. To put that into perspective most players that sign 7-year deals typically get paid upwards of 150 million. Albies even said that he was more concerned with job security and protection for his family rather than a flashy contract. Albies also said that he wants to stick with the Braves’ core of young talent, including Ronald Acuna Jr.

Harper and Albies both signed long term deals, but one was more selfish than the other. Albies strictly wants to stick with the Braves and does not care for the money, he’s aware that with his talent, he signed a team friendly contract. Albies is the type of player that every team wants; the kind that just wants to stick with a team, and not make the team empty their payroll.