The 7.3 is a fine bike for flat-bar touring. I have toured on bikes with worse geometries without any problems whatsoever (early-80s mtbs converted to hybrids).

Bar ends or trekking/touring bars are a must. Your hands and wrists need the extra positions. If you go with bar ends, get long ones, not the little posts that are so popular right now.

With 44.5 cm of chainstay, you may have some heel clearance issues. I wouldn't risk it; use a long rear rack like the Axiom Journey. Or you could pitch your rack forward just a hair, pushing the bottom of the panniers backwards, but that's a less-favored option.

I always suggest fenders (none of my bikes are without them), and, if you're going far enough to need one, a flat-bar tourer is ideal for a non-lowrider front rack (good luck finding one new).