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MLB hot stove: Next moves for the teams that miss on Harper

By Josh Ejnes

MIAMI, FL - JULY 26: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals in action against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 26, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 26: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals in action against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 26, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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MLB hot stove
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: A Rawlings baseball on the field during batting practice before a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Phillies

After claiming that they would spend “stupid” money this offseason the Phillies became early favorites to land Harper, though the field has become much more crowded since then. It makes sense that the Phillies see Harper as an important addition to their team; he’d be a major upgrade over current right fielder Nick Williams, and he’d bring experience to a relatively young group that was a bit inconsistent last year. With that said, even if they can’t land Harper they’re far from a lost cause.

Harper wasn’t the Phillies only target this offseason, and they were pretty active in December. The two most notable moves they made were the signing of Andrew McCutchen and a trade with the Mariners that brought them all-star infielder Jean Segura. All in all the lineup as it stands right now is pretty good. Segura was a much-needed addition to the middle infield, and McCutchen, though no longer an all-star, still looked pretty good last season, slashing .255/./368./424 last year.

If the Phillies don’t get Harper and still want to improve in right field their best bet is probably Nick Markakis, who is coming off of a strong season where he received both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove. Markakis fits the experience bill even better than Harper, but it also does leave the Phillies with a pretty old outfield overall; Markakis will be 35 next year and McCutchen will be 32.

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