MLB rumors: Jayson Werth drops Bryce Harper-to-Phillies hint

Bryce Harper has already asked Jayson Werth about playing in Philadelphia.

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File this one away for when MLB free agency begins in the fall.

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, despite a tough first half, will be one of the most sought-after free agents in MLB history.

The Phillies, despite looking and acting like a first-place team this season, have less than $70M on the books for 2019. This is a franchise that will spend to go from good to great.

Harper-to-Philadelphia rumors have been out there for years. Now we have another to add.

Jayson Werth, the recently-retired ex-Nationals and Phillies star, attended the 2008 Phillies reunion at Citizens Bank Park on August 6. When asked what he would tell his former teammate about playing in Philadelphia, the slugger admitted they had already spoken.

What would Jayson Werth say if Bryce Harper asked him about Philadelphia as a free agent destination?

“I think he already has asked me about Philadelphia,” Werth told reporters today.

So what did Werth tell him?

“Isn’t that tampering?” Werth said.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) August 5, 2018

In a followup to the Harper #Phillies free agency question, Werth did pass along his fondness for Citizens Bank Park to his former #Nationals teammate. “It’s a great place to hit,” Werth said. “I’ve always loved hitting here. I shared that among other things about this place.” https://t.co/eiNRSSzzbK

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) August 5, 2018

Harper takes a .234/.380/.495 slash line into play on August 7. In the second half, Harper has come out on fire (.367 average) to help the National attempt to track down the Phillies atop the NL East standings.

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Last month, rumors swirled about Washington possibly dealing away Harper before the July 31 trade deadline.

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.