MLB trade rumors: Bryce Harper is available; Indians, Nationals talking deal

by Felix Pantaleón

The Washington Nationals are trying to decide if they will trade outfielder Bryce Harper before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver deadline. Harper, the 2015 National League MVP, will be a free agent after the season and is expected to sign with a deep-pocketed team such as the New York Yankees or Philadelphia Phillies.

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UPDATE (11:12 p.m.): Bryce Harper might be in play:

According to a source, the Nationals are making it known to other teams that Bryce Harper is indeed available.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2018

Source: #Indians, #Nats have been in contact regarding Bryce Harper, but Cleveland has thus far refused to include Shane Bieber in any offer. @MLB @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2018

Some who have spoken to Nats GM Mike Rizzo believe he’s still in win-now mode. If he’s gauging interest in bryce Harper — and @Feinsand and others suggest he’s listening — it may be just to appease others. There’s still skepticism he’d make abrupt Harper trade and abandon 2018.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2018

UPDATE (9:07 p.m.): A Bryce Harper deal is unlikely:

Skepticism within industry that #Nationals will trade Harper. Idea MIGHT make sense if Nats could get a SP in return, acquire Realmuto from #Marlins and play Soto in LF, Eaton in RF and Michael Taylor in CF. But per source, Realmuto talks with MIA not currently active.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2018

UPDATE (6:14 p.m.): MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports the Indians are interested in Bryce Harper:

The Indians and Nationals have communicated recently regarding a possible Bryce Harper trade, sources told MLB.com on Monday, but the discussions have yet to gather momentum.

Yankees fans hoping to land Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline won’t like this news:

Rivals believe there’s almost no chance nats will market/trade Bryce Harper in 28-hour window that exists. 1. They want to sign him long-term. 2. They are within striking distance of 2 young teams. 3. They have team mostly back together (except Strasburg).

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2018

Several rival executives believe that the #Nats will stay pat for now, not ready to surrender, but if their fate doesn’t improve, will try to slip players through waivers in August for trades

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 30, 2018

Talk of the Nationals trading Harper surfaced last week with Washington slipping out of playoff contention. At 52-53, the Nationals are in third place in the National League East, six games behind the first-place Phillies. Washington is in eighth place in the NL wild card race.

Harper will become a free agent after the season and is almost assuredly not re-signing with the Nationals. So if Washington feels it has no playoff hopes this year, trading Harper by Tuesday’s deadline would ensure something in return for the reigning Home Run Derby champion.

Harper is tied for second in the National League with 25 home runs this season. But he’s hitting a career-worst .220.

Trade deadline: LIVE updates

Despite his struggles this year, Harper, the 2015 NL MVP, is expected to receive contract offers from several deep-pocketed teams like the Yankees and Phillies.

It wouldn’t be a complete surprise if Yankees general manager Brian Cashman did made a run at Harper before the trade deadline. Cashman and the Yankees could use a bat in the lineup and are thin in the outfield with Aaron Judge (broken right wrist), Clint Frazier (post-concussion symptoms) and Gary Sanchez (groin strain) on the disabled list.

Cashman has spent the time leading up to the trade deadline focusing on the pitching staff, adding reliever Zach Britton and starter J.A. Happ. Cashman is also said to be looking at Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer and New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler.