Bryce Harper rumors: Cubs are top choice in free agency?

Could the Chicago Cubs be the next team for Bryce Harper? Peter Gammons thinks so.

Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper is setting himself up for a huge payday after the 2018 season. He has no deal with the Nats after 2018 and seems ready to test the free agent market. Harper could become an extremely rich man, as he will be possibly the most pursued free agent of all time.

According to Peter Gammons, Bryce’s first pick wouldn’t be the New York Yankees as has been widely speculated. Rather, the Chicago Cubs are the leaders. Harper would certainly be a huge get. He would give them a huge left-handed bat to add to their arsenal. They already have Anthony Rizzo, so Harper would give them arguably two of the best lefties in baseball.

Before Gammons’ interview, everyone assumed the Yankees were in the lead for his services. Harper has expressed interest in donning the infamous pinstripes and the Bronx Bombers have cut payroll. They could be doing so in order to sign Harper and/or Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado after the 2018 season.

Wherever the 2014 NL MVP goes, he should get a ludicrously large contract. Expect the Yankees, Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers to all try to sign Harper. Every big market team should be interested in him, which will help ensure his contract will be huge. Of course, the Nationals will try very hard to re-sign their franchise star as well.

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Harper could become baseball’s first $400 million player. However, he might also want an opt-out to test free agency again. Regardless of where he signs or how long he signs for, Harper should get paid a ton of money and the Cubs have to be considered the favorites to be the ones to do it.