By Jordan Long
Washington Nationals’ outfielder Bryce Harper could be playing his last days in Washington. He is expected to test free agency once the season is over. Harper is going to generate interest because of how he plays the game.
Harper is in his 7th Major League Baseball season, all with the Nationals. He is one of the top Nationals’ hitters even though they stand at 77-75 and won’t make the playoffs. Harper is hitting .247 with 34 home runs and 97 RBI’s. He is a power hitter since he can drive the ball in the outfield for home runs or for him to be in scoring position. Harper moves his teammates on the basepaths for them to score.
His bat is not the reason he is an “All-Star” player. Harper has one of the best fielding gloves in all of baseball, rarely dropping the ball in the outfield with a total of 3 errors this season. Base runners don’t try to advance when he catches the ball because of his strong and accurate arm. They know if they try to advance Harper will throw to the base they are running to and they will be caught. He has an outfield assist this season.
Harper knows these could be his last days in Washington. According to CBSsports.com, Harper said, “I haven’t really thought about it. I think it’ll really hit that last game I guess, running off the field or something like that. I’m just trying to enjoy it and see what happens.”
The Chicago Cubs are one of the teams who could be interested and might be the favorite to land him. Harper and Cubs’ Kris Bryant grew up together playing baseball in Vegas which may give the Cubs a leg up.
The Cubs are also a team that will overspend for a player of Harpers’ caliber. His market value might be a contract worth $400 million. That will not scare the Cubs away.
The problem with the Cubs wanting to sign Harper is their crowded outfield. The Cubs have Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr., and Jason Heyward under contract next year. There may not be room for Harper on this team. Cubs’ President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein will decide what is best for the Cubs moving forward once the year is over. Passing on Bryce Harper could be difficult.
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