In his sweeping piece about the ugly state of affairs in the Nationals clubhouse, Jeff Passan today mentioned the team he thought would be the best fit for Bryce Harper, if the Nationals were going to trade him in his walk year. That team was the Indians, and, although it was phrased entirely speculatively, I can tell you that sometimes that speculation for writers (not necessarily Passan, specifically) comes from a place of kernels of knowledge.
So, then, I pay closer attention when I see Jon Morosi reporting that the Indians and Nationals *have* in fact engaged in trade talks on Harper.
That would be another incredible addition in the American League for yet another team whose divisional race is wholly decided, and thus the addition would be entirely for the postseason. You could debate just how much of a difference a position player – even a stud – can make in a five-game series, but the reality is, if your team is that close to the mountaintop, maybe you just don’t want to leave any possible upgrade unattempted.
Morosi says the Nationals are holding to a very high price tag on Harper, though, and the talks with the Indians haven’t yet “gather[ed] momentum.” So we’ll see if that changes as the next 22 hours play out.
(Oh, and if Harper is traded, he’s no longer subject to a qualifying offer, and thus cannot be attached to draft pick compensation in the offseason. I mean, it’s not a *huge* consideration when you’re talking about a 26-year-old generational free agent, but it’s relevant to this conversation, at least.)