Mitchell Layton/Getty ImagesBryce Harper's reported 13-year http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-chance-sisco-jersey , $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, per ESPN's Jeff Passan, will give him an average annual value of $25.4 million, but had he been willing to accept a shorter deal, he apparently could have shattered the record for AAV."We had average values of $45 million offered on shorter-term deals," Scott Boras, Harper's agent, told Joel Sherman of the New York Post on Thursday. "We had a full buffet."Zack Greinke's six-year, $206.5 million pact with the Arizona Diamondbacks represents the largest AAV ($34.4 million) in MLB history. While Harper got the biggest guarantee in North American sports history, Manny Machado's 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres features the largest AAV handed out this offseason.While it's not clear which team(s) Boras was referring to Jeremy Hellickson Jersey , Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Thursday that the Los Angeles Dodgers had discussed a short-term deal that would "obliterate" Greinke's AAV record. MLB Network's Jon Morosi confirmed this, noting the offer was for four years and around $45 million a year.Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reported the San Francisco Giants made a 12-year, $310 million offer but added that California tax would have required the team to push its offer well over $330 million to make it competitive.The San Diego Padres and the Chicago White Sox were also among the teams linked to the 2015 National League MVP this offseason.Harper may not wind up being the highest-paid player on an annual basis in his new deal, but he did top Giancarlo Stanton's record of $325 million set in 2014. For Harper, his free agency was apparently never about the AAV."The goal was to get the longest contract possible," Boras told Sherman. "Bryce wanted one city for the rest of his career. That is what I was instructed to do. It is very difficult in this time to get [a] length of contract that takes a player to age 37, 38, 39."That stance was reflected in the terms of the contract. Not only is the 26-year-old outfielder signing on for 13 years, but his deal also does not include any opt-outs."No opt-outs," a source told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. "Harper didn't want one."With the help of a full no-trade clause as well, Harper appears poised to finish out his career in Philadelphia. And he was willing to compromise to get a deal done with the Phillies."To get great length http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-caleb-joseph-jersey , you have to give something up," Boras told Sherman. "Frankly, the Philly ballpark had a lot to do with it. Bryce hits great there."Boras also said Phillies owner John Middleton "flew out twice" to Las Vegas and "really went through the hoops to show how much he wanted Bryce."Having spent the first seven years of his career in the NL East with the Washington Nationals, Harper has hit .268/.365/.564 with 14 home runs, five doubles, three triples and 32 RBI in 50 games at Citizens Bank Park. The six-time All-Star has a career .930 OPS in Philadelphia. J.A. Happ will get the ball for the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox.The team announced the news on Thursday:New York Yankees YankeesChampagne sprays for the ALDS Game 1 starter.It鈥檚 HAPPening. lWIYRfP97RGame 1 will get underway at Fenway Park on Friday, Oct. 5, at 7:32 p.m. ET.Happ received consideration to start Wednesday's AL Wild Card Game against the Oakland Athletics, but ultimately, New York manager Aaron Boone opted to go with Luis Severino, who allowed just two hits in four innings of shutout baseball in a 7-2 victory.With Severino out of the mix Roberto Alomar Jersey , Happ will open the best-of-five series against Boston.The 35-year-old left-hander was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays prior to the non-waiver trade deadline back in July. Since arriving in the Bronx, he has gone 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in 11 starts in pinstripes.Happ is 1-1 with a 1.99 ERA in four starts against Boston this season. He made two starts against the archrival Red Sox after being traded to the Yankees, going 1-0 while allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 12 innings.His last start of the regular season came at Fenway Park, where he picked up the win while allowing four runs on four hits in six innings of work while striking out seven.It's important to note that start came against a Red Sox club with nothing to play for as home-field advantage had already been wrapped up.Happ is 1-1 in the postseason in his career, posting a 3.72 ERA and a 1.81 WHIP in 10 appearances, including three starts.Boston (108-54) is coming off the best regular season in franchise history and went an MLB-best 57-24 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Red Sox will send AL Cy Young candidate Chris Sale to the mound forGame 1. New York has not yet announced the rest of its rotation for the series.