At least 1 MLB GM thinks Bryce Harper is going to the Phillies
Bryce Harper will be an incredibly wealthy man in a few months, and one general manager has predicted where he’ll land as a free agent.
Last winter, a slow MLB free agent market was at least partially blamed on what promised to be a loaded free agent class after this season. At the top of that group is Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who will have suitors ready to give him a $300-plus million contract that will take him into the back end of his prime.
Harper’s numbers still don’t look like they typically have across the board this year, with a batting average (.248) below his career mark by a good margin. But his power hasn’t gone away, with 30 home runs (tied for second in the National League) and 79 RBI (sixth in the NL).
Harper won the Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities, and that has been the turning point in his season. Since the All-Star break (26 games entering Saturday), Harper has a .370/.459/.696 slash-line (1.154 OPS) with seven home runs and 25 RBI.
The Nationals are struggling to gain ground in the playoff race, with a 4-6 record over their last 10 games (entering Saturday). Seven games back in the National League East, and only marginally closer in the Wild Card race (5.5 games back), the Nationals are nearing an earlier than expected end in 2018.
The Nationals will surely be in the mix to sign Harper. But according to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, one general manager has offered a prediction for where he’ll sign as a free agent.
“I think Harper winds up with the Phillies,” one rival GM predicted.
The Phillies are expected to be major players in the free agent market this winter, including some likely interest in Manny Machado. They’ve arrived a year early this year, under new manager Gabe Kapler, with a 68-54 record entering Saturday (0.5 game behind the Atlanta Braves). So as a team on the rise, with a willingness to spend some money, they will be an appealing spot for prospective free agents.
Next. Each MLB team's 2018 unsung hero. dark
The Phillies may not be atop Harper’s list of possible landing spots right now, but nothing can be ruled out. His signing with a division rival would be a real kick in the teeth for the Nationals.