Chicago Cubs rumors: Bryce Harper on his way to Chicago in 2019?
Could Washington Nationals superstar Bryce Harper be on his way to the Chicago Cubs in 2019?
The 2018 MLB offseason is as cold as ice, moving at a snail’s pace in the process. Sure, we’ve had some big names moved — such as Marcell Ozuna, Gerrit Cole, and Andrew McCutchen among others — but for the most part, it’s been as quiet as a tomb. However, a heatwave may be in store for the 2019 hot stove season, with one primary free agent potentially landing with the Chicago Cubs.
Bryce Harper. A once in a lifetime player, with major swag and flair to go with his particular set of skills. His upcoming decision to stay in the Nation’s capital or go to a place such as the Cubs will turn the tide for all of Major League Baseball. Similiar to how Giancarlo Stanton‘s shifted power to the New York Yankees, the Chicago Cubs would bridge that same gap between them and other National League teams if they land Harper.
What are the odds that Bryce Harper takes his talents to the Windy City? President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs, Theo Epstein, reveals there are primary factors at play when pursuing Harper.
"“It’s a number of factors. Every team has to make decisions in their own best interest… It’s hard to say it’s any one reason. It’s probably a combination of factors. But I don’t know that we’ve ever seen anything quite like this.”"
“Next year’s free-agent class is different than this year’s free-agent class,… What you’re seeing with teams out there would rather have dry powder a year from now.”
The Chicago Cubs have some crucial decisions to make, ones that will determine if there’s enough to pay Harper the mega-contract he desires. After the 2020 season, 4/5 of their starting pitching staff will be free agents:
Things get even trickier after the 2021 campaign, with contracts of their team’s foundation expiring, also:
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The Chicago Cubs might want to think long and hard about signing Bryce Harper to a mega-deal, with inking Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo to lifetime contracts as their main priority instead. However, if those two agree in taking a pay cut of sorts, what a three-headed monster Bryant, Harper, and Rizzo would make. It’s scary just to think about.
For now, the Chicago Cubs will have to fend off the likes of the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals, teams within their division who are coming for their NL Central crown.
Next: Trade destinations for Josh Harrison
If the Cubbies are dethroned from their perch and even miss the playoffs in 2018, it will factor into their decision in heavily pursuing Bryce Harper.