Bryce Harper says he almost chose the Giants over the Phillies in 2019 free agency

Harper, of course, ultimately chose Put pen to paper with Philadelphiaofficially agreed to a 13-year, $330 million contract in March 2019.

But the two-time MVP said that if manager Bruce Bochy had not described the 1919 season as his last in a Giants uniform, there was a very good chance he would make the Bay Area his new home.

“It was close,” Harper said. “The thing that killed me was that Bushy was retiring. He’s the greatest of all time.”

Adding more salt to Giants fans’ wounds, Harper — who began his MLB career with the Nationals after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft — actually trolled some pro-San Francisco hecklers about the pick while with McAfee in Scottsdale, Arizona.

McAfee, in town to help with the preview Next World Baseball Classicasked Harper what he thought some fans were yelling in his direction.

“They’re probably thinking, ‘Man, he could have been here with the Giants,'” Harper replied. “But it’s not.”

In seven seasons with the Phillies, Harper played in 858 games and hit .281. He belted 184 home runs and scored 521 RBI, winning the 2021 Most Valuable Player award.

The Giants and their fans will get another up-close look at him later Tuesday, when Harper and Team USA take on San Francisco in a WBC matchup at Scottsdale Stadium.

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