MLB rumors: Who signs Washington Nationals Bryce Harper next winter?

MLB rumors: Which MLB team will sign Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper when he reaches free agency?

By the time the 2019 MLB season begins, Washington Nationals star outfielder Bryce Harper will be an even healthier man. The baseball phenom is approaching free agency earlier than most. This should result in an even lengthier contract with greater overall totals, with MLB rumors buzzing like crazy.

Inevitably, every team in baseball would want him on their roster. Harper is multi-talented and a player who may still have greater days ahead. His value is incomparable because of his abilities and age. Not every team will have a shot at signing Harper although many will try.

MLB rumors: Numbers 30-26

30) Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics have one of the bleaker futures in baseball. Their payroll is routinely low, and their stadium situation usually leads many of the team’s headlines. An inability to afford top-of-the-line players will eliminate them from ever signing Harper. If Harper ever plays in Oakland, it will be at the end of his career.

29) Tampa Bay Rays

In a similar situation as the Athletics, the Tampa Bay Rays are rarely in the conversation for signing big name free agents. The fact that they traded Evan Longoria this offseason doesn’t help their cause. Sure, they have a little more money to play with. Considering Harper would increase the team’s payroll by at least 30%, we can eliminate them.

28) Pittsburgh Pirates

No more Andrew McCutchen does not mean Harper will suit up for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates already have affordable outfield options for a few more seasons. Harper will not join them.

27) Miami Marlins

A few months ago, Harper looked like a possible future member of the Miami Marlins. Following this winter’s fire sale, their interest in Harper has disappeared. This is an organization hoping to drop its payroll. Harper is the kind of player who can break many team’s banks. Unless the management changes, their interest is limited.

26) Minnesota Twins

Admittedly, the Minnesota Twins ranked higher to number one as I produced this list. However, they didn’t move up too many spots. The Twins are not a free agent destination. Despite their recent success, the cold weather and tight budget will keep Harper out of Minneapolis.

MLB rumors: Numbers 25-21

25) Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals seem undecided just how far they are willing to go in their next rebuild. Do they retool for a year or two or try to keep the band together? Depending on whether or not they re-sign Eric Hosmer will tell us a lot. Still, Harper does not seem like the type of player who the Royals would willingly pay nor does he seem like a personality that would blend well in their smaller market.

24) Detroit Tigers

Timing is everything. Unfortunately for the Detroit Tigers, they aren’t producing wins when Harper becomes available. Detroit may look to sign a few other notable free agents next winter. Expecting them to pony up the money for a player like Harper won’t work.

23) Seattle Mariners

If any team mentioned thus far can surprise us, it’s the Seattle Mariners. General manager Jerry Dipoto is not shy about making transactions. Since Nelson Cruz’s contract will expire after this upcoming season, the Mariners could see Harper as a possibility. I would still call it slim and would instead expect them to go after someone else with any money they have left over.

22) Cleveland Indians

Harper would fit in very well with the Cleveland Indians. I would also love to see him paired with manager Terry Francona. Since they are traditionally a lower-budget team and already have other commitments, I don’t envision Harper suiting up for the Tribe.

21) Colorado Rockies

To put it simply, the Colorado Rockies don’t have room for Harper. They have plenty of outfield options and would be better off re-signing Charlie Blackmon anyway. Instead of targeting Harper, it’s important for the Rockies to seek out the best starting pitching they can.

MLB rumors: Numbers 20-16

20) Cincinnati Reds

Harper may not seem like a logical destination for the Cincinnati Reds. After all, they haven’t been very good for a few years now. If they do decide it’s time to start winning again, signing Harper would certainly change the franchise around. First, though, they will need to find a way to get out from the Homer Bailey contract. Good luck with that.

19) Los Angeles Angels

Let’s gush for a moment over the possibility of Harper playing on the same team as Mike Trout. I could see it happening one day when both are near 40. Until then, something drastic will need to happen for Harper to suit up for the Los Angeles Angels.

18) Toronto Blue Jays

Harper doesn’t seem like a guy who would dig Canada very much. Considering the Toronto Blue Jays already have a plethora of outfield options, they don’t get a very high ranking on this list. A more realistic possibility is an extension for third baseman Josh Donaldson.

17) Arizona Diamondbacks

If the Arizona Diamondbacks truly want to shed salary, signing Harper won’t help very much. The outfield will have some openings. Specifically, the team may lose center fielder A.J. Pollock. Harper isn’t a logical replacement, though. The best chance the Diamondbacks have at signing Harper is if they can trade Zack Greinke. I do believe they could accomplish this which is why they aren’t buried.

16) Milwaukee Brewers

Why would the Milwaukee Brewers need another outfielder anyway? They have Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, and the combination of Ryan Braun and Domingo Santana. Harper doesn’t have much of a place with the Brewers, but they could always deal Santana and open up a spot.

MLB rumors: Numbers 15-11

15) Baltimore Orioles

A left-handed hitting outfielder is a major need for the Baltimore Orioles. Why can’t they travel the Beltway and add Harper? It could certainly happen. The Orioles may lose Adam Jones, Brad Brach, and Zach Britton this winter. Freeing up a few more dollars makes them a reasonable suitor. The roadblock here is I doubt Harper wants to play for a team with a horrendous rotation.

14) Houston Astros

The defending World Series Champions pulled off the Justin Verlander trade last summer and put themselves in an “anything is possible” category — it’s hard to count the Houston Astros out on any free agents. While doubtful, don’t write them off yet.

13) St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are yet another team we should always consider when targeting big name free agents. Even now, they are a destination for many of MLB’s remaining free agents. When it comes to Harper, a few things may change before the Cardinals become a top choice.

12) Boston Red Sox

Whatever the Boston Red Sox do to resolve their power issues should be completed before the 2018 season begins. Whether it requires them to sign J.D. Martinez or another big move, the Red Sox aren’t in a position to wait for Harper. Since they already have an outfield with Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi, room for Harper is scarce. The fit just isn’t there right now.

11) Washington Nationals

Sadly, the Washington Nationals aren’t even in this top ten. The only team Harper has ever known in his MLB career have only that going for him. With so much money invested elsewhere, it would handicap the Nationals to re-sign Harper. Washington will need to hold out hope that Harper loves D.C. too much to leave.

MLB rumors: Numbers 10-6

10) San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres will eventually become contenders again. They’ve shed lots of salary and could make a huge splash next offseason. Harper is a logical target, but an unlikely one. Until they can start heading in the right direction, Harper has little reason to choose them over the other 29 teams. Available payroll should still help make them a dark horse candidate.

9) Atlanta Braves

Don’t drop your jaw too hard to the floor when the Atlanta Braves make big signings next winter. Since they should get a few years out of top prospect Ronald Acuna on the cheap, it could make sense to pair him with Harper for the next few seasons.

8) Chicago White Sox

At some point, the Chicago White Sox need to remember they’re in a major city and have money to spend. Will it happen when Harper becomes a free agent? The team has already been a rumored destination for Manny Machado. I fully expect the White Sox to do whatever they can to add at least one of the top free agents next winter as they gear up for better days ahead.

7) New York Mets

For the New York Mets to land Harper, there will need to be a change in the ownership. The current frugal crew doesn’t even want to sign Mike Moustakas or Todd Frazier. So, it’s going to take significant changes for the Mets to become a possibility. Thankfully for those out in Flushing, the end could be near.

6) New York Yankees

How could the New York Yankees possibly afford an outfield that includes Harper, Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Judge? Well, Judge is still on his rookie contract. That’s important when it comes to money. Plus, it’s the Yankees. They can afford everyone. If they truly want to build the greatest threesome in MLB history, they can.