Fansided

5 teams that can make realistic deals for Bryce Harper

By Rucker Haringey

MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 25: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals hits a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during a game at Miller Park on July 25, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 25: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals hits a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during a game at Miller Park on July 25, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JULY 29: Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Christian Yelich (22) and Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) go back to the dugout after Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) hits a home run during the regular season game between the San Francisco Giants and the Milwaukee Brewers on July 29, 2018 at AT&T Park in San Fransisco,CA (Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JULY 29: Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Christian Yelich (22) and Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) go back to the dugout after Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) hits a home run during the regular season game between the San Francisco Giants and the Milwaukee Brewers on July 29, 2018 at AT&T Park in San Fransisco,CA (Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are currently locked in one of the tightest division races in the game. They’re only one game behind the Cubs in the NL Central. Adding a slugger like Harper might be enough to help them reach the playoffs.

Ordinarily, the Brewers aren’t the sort of team you’d expect to be in the race for a high-priced player like Harper. The fact that he would likely be a rental for Milwaukee also makes it an odd proposition. However, the fact that the Brewers were firmly involved in the race to deal for Manny Machado proves they’re willing to entertain this kind of risk.

Domingo Santana is the player who would most likely make way for Harper. He hasn’t been bad this season, but he’s nothing close to a superstar. Putting Harper in the same lineup with Christian Yelich, Jesus Aguilar and Travis Shaw would give opposing pitchers real trouble.

The real question here is whether or not a team that would almost certainly take on Harper as a rental will give up enough talent to outbid the competition. The Brewers need several big market teams to stay out of the bidding if they want to swing a deal for Harper. It’s unlikely, but definitely not impossible.

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