The extremely unlikely but somewhat reasonable case for trading Bryce Harper
By Dane Quinn
With the MLB trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Washington Nationals should consider dealing the face of their franchise, Bryce Harper.
Now that the waters have calmed on the Washington Capitals’ first ever Stanley Cup, the people of D.C. are beginning to wonder what’s next for Bryce Harper? The superstar outfielder is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2018 season. Nationals’ fans may not want to admit it, but they should at least consider trading their franchise player.
It’s the time of year when hot takes are piping, and there’s no steamier idea than one that has Bryce Harper as part of the biggest trade since Babe Ruth was shipped out of Boston. None of this is to suggest the Nats are going to, or even thinking about, trading Harper. But it’s not outrageous to think it in a week where two franchise faces (Manny Machado and Kawhi Leonard) were both dealt without remorse.
There is no question about it. Bryce Harper is a bonafide superstar. The 25-year-old has accomplished many accolades during his seven seasons. He made an immediate impact in 2012, when he claimed the National League Rookie of the Year. Harper didn’t stop there. In 2015, he won the National League MVP by hitting 42 home runs and posting an unbelievable .460 On-base percentage.
Not a single team in baseball that would pass on the chance to acquire Bryce Harper’s services. And it would be an unforgivable sin if the Nationals didn’t listen to offers if they come. Imagine if the Yankees called up offering their best prospects, or the Cubs went all-in with a Godfather offer.
Philadelphia and Atlanta have assembled a perfect mixture of youth and experienced players. Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies can learn from Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis. In Philadelphia, Aaron Nola has taken his game to another level. Nola’s ability to watch Jake Arrieta everyday allows him to grow as a professional baseball player.
Regardless of whether or not this singular season is lost, the future in Washington needs to be considered.
Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Juan Soto aren’t old, but their teammates are. Daniel Murphy, Adam Eaton, Ryan Zimmerman, and Stephen Strasburg have all spent major time on the disabled list. Max Scherzer’s excellence is the reason the team is still breathing.
Over the past few years, Washington has been big time buyers at the trade deadline and in the winter. Give them credit for pushing all their chips to the center of the table. However, all the moves have resulted into an early October exits.
When you sign or trade for players, you have to give something up. In order to acquire an everyday player to make a run at a World Series title, you must part with young talent. Two years ago, the Nationals realized they needed an outfielder who could hit, and sent 3 of their top 6 prospects to Chicago for Adam Eaton. The result has been frstratingly unproductive.
A similar thing happened earlier that year when Washington gave up a top draft pick to sign Daniel Murphy away from the Mets. Like Eaton, Murphy has been beleaguered thanks to injuries and false starts.
Trading Bryce Harper will replenish a farm system that has taken a hit over the past few seasons. A rebuild feels inevitable, and this is the best way to lay the strongest foundation. Acquiring Bryce Harper will command top pitching and position prospects. It looks like Juan Soto is the real deal, which gives Washington a face for the future. Top prospect Victor Robles could be roaming the outfield for the next decade. If a deal is struck to move Harper for even a few dollars short of top, it’ll be speeding up a rebuild. Not to mention this is all cast against the possibility of the Nationals losing Harper and getting no return this winter.
It goes without saying that the best possible outcome is Bryce Harper staying in Washington for the next decade. But if he’s going to leave, or the Nationals have a shadow of a doubt, then a trade that could set up the franchise for the future is worth at least considering.