John Matthews
WMAL.com
10:30am UPDATE:
The Washington Nationals may be long shots to make the playoffs, but they’re going to take their chances with the team they have. Rumors had been flying that the Nats were looking to trade free agent-to-be Bryce Harper by today’s 4 pm deadline, but General Manager Mike Rizzo texted the Washington Post’s beat reporter, Chelsea Janes, this morning, and said “Bryce is not going anywhere. I believe in this team.” If that’s the case, it appears the Nats may not be trading any of their other pending free agents either. The question now – will the Nats be looking to ADD players instead? Stay tuned…
WASHINGTON — It never should have come to this.
Multiple media sources began reporting Monday that the Washington Nationals have made it known that outfielder Bryce Harper is available – for the right price.
If the Nationals – and Harper himself – had not sleep-walked their way through July with a 10 – 14 record, they would be a more serious playoff contender.
Instead, Harper is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and with the Nationals sporting a 52 -53 record, their chances of mounting a comeback to make the playoffs are fading with each passing day. The Nats are currently 5 1/2 games behind National League East leader Philadelphia.
General Manager Mike Rizzo said last week it would take an extraordinary offer for the Nationals to even consider trading the 2015 Most Valuable Player and 2012 Rookie of the Year. The Nats reportedly would be looking for multiple players – including a top pitching prospect – in exchange for Harper.
Harper is having an off-year at the plate in terms of batting average, which is currently at .220, but he is among the National League leaders in home runs, with 25, and he has batted in 62 runs as well. Despite the less than stellar numbers, he is expected to draw numerous suitors once he hits free agency at the end of the season.
The Nationals hope to be in contention to re-sign Harper, regardless of whether he is traded Tuesday. Longtime ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian said Monday night he sees the chances of Harper being traded as “unlikely to highly unlikely,” because there are just hours left before the 4 pm trade deadline, and because of the high price the Nationals will be asking in return for what will essentially be a”rental” – getting Harper only for the final two months of the season.
If Rizzo feels the Nationals are truly out of the running for the playoffs, several other Nats who are pending free agents could also be show the door Tuesday, including pitchers Gio Gonzalez, Jeremy Hellickson, Kelvin Herrera, Shawn Kelley and Ryan Madson, as well as infielders Daniel Murphy, Mark Reynolds and Matt Adams and catcher Matt Wieters.
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