Washington Nationals: Trading Bryce Harper could improve playoff odds
The Washington Nationals may decide to become sellers prior to the MLB trade deadline. If they sell, trading Bryce Harper has a few potential benefits.
In what was supposed to be an outstanding season for the Washington Nationals, they have become the most underwhelming team in the league. Injuries have derailed the season, but key players have underperformed as well.
Shockingly, few players have struggled more than Bryce Harper. His power numbers are there, as he has hit 25 homers and driven in 62 runs, but his average is nowhere near his career-norm. Over the past few weeks, he has actually raised his average to .220.
Now, the Nats are in a difficult situation. They are six games back and trail two teams in the division standings. Their path to the postseason is not impossible, but it is improbable. It would be uncharacteristic, but they could conceivably sell at the trade deadline.
If the Nats decide to sell, Harper may be their biggest trade chip. He is having a bit of a down year and would be a rental, but he is a generational talent. Perhaps a change of scenery could help him return to form.
Obviously, the Nats are not going to trade Harper unless they feel that it helps them contend down the road. But could trading him help them contend in 2018 as well?
Harper has always been a controversial figure. From gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16, to blowing kisses to pitchers in the minors, to dragging his foot through the Braves’ “A” logo, he has accumulated plenty of enemies throughout his career. In spite of his reputation, Harper has generally received nothing but praise from those around him.
However, Harper has had his moments. For example, he recently proclaimed after a Nats loss, “If [J.T. Realmuto] was on our side, it wouldn’t have happened.” He is not too far off, but Mike Rizzo, Matt Wieters, and Spencer Kieboom probably did not take too kindly to his comments.
It is also worth noting that Harper is in the midst of the most anticipated contract year ever. He has handled it well, but it could be weighing on the clubhouse. With a rookie manager at the helm, the team could be exceptionally susceptible to distractions. Through no fault of Harper’s, his uncertain contract status could be a distraction for the rest of the team.
With this in mind, perhaps trading him now and ending the debate could be beneficial.
Trading Harper would also be a better long-term move if the Nats believe he will sign elsewhere this winter. The general consensus seems to be that the Nats have about a 50-50 shot at re-signing their star. If he leaves, they will only receive a compensation pick in return.
If the Nats trade Harper now, as opposed to watching him leave in free agency, they can at least receive a prospect package capable of making an impact down the road.
Finally, trading Harper would open up a spot for top prospect Victor Robles. He played his way onto the postseason roster last season and has been tearing up the minors lately.
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Perhaps calling up Robles would give the Nats the spark that they need. He is an exciting young player, and the team has looked uninspired lately. We have seen how youth has energized teams around the league; maybe Robles could do just that for the Nats.
If Robles replaced Harper and led the Nats to the postseason, it would not be the first time trading a superstar jump started a team. In 2004, the Red Sox traded Nomar Garciaparra and went on a historic run, en route to winning their first World Series title in 86 years.
Garciaparra was viewed by some as a bad teammate, which Harper is not, but Robles has the potential to be a spark plug. Even if Robles does not lead the Nats to the postseason in 2018, the experience he gains will be beneficial as he begins his major league career.
Next. Will Bryce Harper be traded?. dark
All things considered, the Washington Nationals will likely hold onto Bryce Harper. However, a trade is certainly possible, and the Nats could reap the benefits as soon as this year.