Washington Nationals: Will Bryce Harper be traded?
The Washington Nationals are reportedly considering selling at the MLB trade deadline. Could Bryce Harper be playing elsewhere this time next week?
In a surprising turn of events, the Washington Nationals are seven games out of the division and 4.5 games out of the second Wild Card. Sitting at just .500, it is conceivable that they could sell at the trade deadline.
If the Nats decide to become sellers, anyone in a contract year is obviously a prime trade candidate. In case you have lived under a rock for the last year, Bryce Harper is set to become a free agent at the season’s end. But would the Nats dare trade their superstar?
That is a highly controversial question, and one that general manger Mike Rizzo was asked earlier this week. It is nearly impossible to read Rizzo, so his answers can typically be taken with a grain of salt, but he said it would take a “spectacular set of circumstances” to deal Harper.
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From Rizzo’s quote, it sounds like Harper will be finishing the season in a Nationals uniform. Then again, you never know with Rizzo. But if he is being truthful, and the Nats hold onto Harper, it will be the right decision.
On one hand, you have a generational talent that could help a contender. The Nats have a difficult path to the postseason this season, but trading Harper could help restock the farm system for future postseason runs.
It is worth keeping in mind, though, that the Orioles received an underwhelming package for Manny Machado. It is understandable since Machado is also a rental, but he has had a much better season than Harper. If the Orioles struggled to get a solid return for Machado, the Nats likely would not get much for Harper.
On the other hand, the Nats have finally received most of their stars back from the disabled list. Sean Doolittle and Stephen Strasburg are still on the shelf, but most of the gang is back on the field for the first time all year.
If the Nats are going to get hot, this would be the time. They are fairly far back in the standings, but a lengthy winning streak would put them right back in the thick of things. If the Pirates can win 11 games in a row, so can the Nats.
Finally, trading Harper would diminish their chances of re-signing him this offseason. He and the Nats have both expressed a desire to sign a long-term contract, but a mid-season trade could prohibit that from happening.
Whether Harper is needed in DC long-term is debatable, considering the emergence of Juan Soto and Victor Robles, but they should not burn that bridge.
Nats' playoff chances take huge blow. dark. Next
All things considered, Bryce Harper will likely remain with the Washington Nationals, at least until the end of the year. If the team decides to sell, look for smaller pieces, such as Kelvin Herrera, Ryan Madson, and Shawn Kelley to be on the move.