Boras doesn't think he has the leverage. But he's trying to manufacture leverage. There won't be a deal this week if the Phillies are bidding against themselves and offer accordingly, instead of giving Boras what he wants to get it over with (and why should they?) He'll get back on the phone with Lerner, with SF, with SD, with perhaps, a mystery team (MLBTR mentioned the Astros, who almost traded for him last year). It's just hard to see how or why any of those clubs would go higher than the Phillies are willing to go. But it's still only February 23. Could go another two weeks before it's Arrieta territory, and position players don't need as long to get ready.
Also, I think at this point Harper has zero impact on what else the Phillies might do, so the delay in signing him doesn't affect anything. They are done unless Keuchel falls in their lap, and that could still be true with Harper. Upgrading the OF or bench in Harper's absence (as an alternative to Altherr, or someone to push Williams) would only take a minor league deal or trade at this point. And trading Williams or Altherr, if they want to, won't be any easier or harder today or in two weeks.
