Bryce Harper trade rumors: 5 teams that must call
The Washington Nationals don’t sound totally opposed to the idea of selling at the deadline, and Bryce Harper might actually become available.
It has been a season to forget for the Washington Nationals. There have been injuries. There has been in-fighting. Shortstop Trea Turner just laid down a bunt and walked off the field. Not a great start for first-year manager Dave Martinez. With the trade deadline looming at the end of the weekend, the Nats, a supposed World Series contender on Opening Day, sit just 51-51 and seriously need to consider their future.
Pressure is building from the top down to punt on this season and focus on the future. The Nationals are considering selling instead of trying to chase down the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. If ownership decides to make the smart move, every big trade chip the team has in its possession should be on the block.
Yes, even Bryce Harper.
Speculation has continued to build that the Nationals would consider dealing the free-agent-to-be at the deadline, and it will only continue to build if they are unable to show signs of life heading into next Tuesday’s deadline.
Harper, while struggling this year, would still fetch a strong return. Manny Machado was worth one top-100 prospect, and so is Harper. The Nationals may even be able to land a higher-ranked prospect by limiting their asking price to less quantity and more quality. This is a team still set up to win next year, with plenty of depth in the minor leagues. Even though he probably will end the year playing in Washington, these five teams need to be constantly dialing Nationals GM Mike Rizzo every day until the trade deadline.
5. Chicago Cubs
If we were discussing which team has the best chance to sign Harper after this season, the Chicago Cubs obviously jump right to the top of the list. He is childhood friends with All-Star third baseman Kris Bryant and named his dog Wrigley. So…you connect the dots.
The Cubs have the money to sign Harper this winter, but they don’t necessarily have the prospects to dangle for the Nationals. Pulling off this trade would likely require the Cubs to trade a piece from their current MLB roster like Ian Happ, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber or Albert Almora. Not that any of those players should be off limits, but the Cubs don’t have an urgent need for an offensive weapon. Especially when they figure to be at the top of Harper’s very short list of free-agent destinations.
Harper is a great fit for the Cubs, and it really wouldn’t be a surprise to see him sign there this winter. It would, however, be very surprising to see him end up in Chicago this summer, but you can’t rule it out. Theo Epstein knows how to do his work behind the scenes and shock the rest of the league with a huge trade. The Cubs will keep track of the Harper situation, but Cole Hamels is probably their only headline-grabbing move until the offseason.