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Bryce Harper trade rumors: 5 teams that must call

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 02: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Nationals Park on July 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 02: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Nationals Park on July 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JULY 26: Third baseman Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles while running the bases after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on July 26, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 26: Third baseman Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles while running the bases after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on July 26, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

A reluctance to blow up his farm system early in his tenure with the Dodgers left a lasting reputation that Andrew Friedman was afraid to trade prospects for an impact player at the deadline. That narrative has obviously been flipped on its ear, as the Dodgers have pulled off massive trades for Rich Hill, Josh Reddick, Yu Darvish and Manny Machado over the past three years.

Last week’s trade for All-Star Machado does not have to be the final blockbuster deal the Dodgers make this summer. A bullpen arm is still on their radar, but if Bryce Harper is actually up for grabs, Friedman has more than enough left in his farm system to make a run at him. The options for the Nationals are endless, but it is a safe assumption that the return would be similar to what went back to the Baltimore Orioles.

The Dodgers still have four top-100 prospects in their system, including outfielder Alex Verdugo and catcher Keibert Ruiz. The Orioles had to focus on bringing back both quality and quantity in their trade, which kept the best names off the table. The Nationals don’t have to worry about that. Instead of needing five pieces, Washington could settle for two or three prospects, but ask for the best names.

Verdugo would be an outstanding fit for a young Nationals outfield next to budding superstar Juan Soto and Victor Robles, who was rated even higher than Soto at the start of the year. Getting a top outfield prospect could also allow the Nationals to shop Adam Eaton and his inexpensive contract for even more prospects.

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