Bryce Harper’s free agent market receives an early preview by FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman, who lists the eight teams he feels have the best chance at signing the star outfielder when he hits the open market after the season. The Nationals and other big-market usual suspects are cited, though the Braves are a new addition to the list of candidates, as both Sirius XM Radio’s Steve Phillips and an unnamed friend of Harper’s feel Atlanta is a logical possibility. It should be noted that the Braves are only being named here as a “makes sense on paper” type of candidate, as it isn’t known whether Harper himself would consider the Braves, or if the club is actually preparing for a run at the outfielder. Still, a case can be made — Atlanta is known to be preparing for the end of its rebuild, with a large array of young players that could position the team as a contender for years to come. Signing Harper would certainly be about the biggest splash possible in announcing a return to contention, though it remains to be seen if the Braves would be open to spending the record-setting contract Harper will seek in free agency.
Here’s some more from Heyman, in his weekly notes post covering all 30 teams…
- With Delino DeShields Jr. on the disabled list due to a broken hamate bone, the Rangers are looking for center field depth. Drew Robinson and Rule 5 draft pick Carlos Tocci have been platooning in center field with DeShields out, though that may not be a tenable situation given that DeShields could be sidelined into the middle of May. Jose Cardona and Brett Eibner are available in the minors, but Texas would have to create a 40-man roster spot for either player.
- Heyman provides some new details on Jay Bruce’s free agent market, reporting that the Indians offered Bruce a two-year, $18MM deal while the Blue Jays discussed a one-year deal in the range of $5MM-$7MM. It’s interesting to note that both teams ended up signing somewhat similar veteran left-handed bats for similar price points — Cleveland inked Yonder Alonso for two years and $16MM in guaranteed money, while Toronto signed Curtis Granderson to a one-year, $5MM deal. The Jays didn’t actually make Bruce an offer, however, and neither did the Astros, though they also had some talks with Bruce about a two-year deal. Heyman speculates that Houston may have been considering Bruce only if top prospect Derek Fisher was dealt, and thus the Astros’ interest waned since they were able to acquire Gerrit Cole without parting ways with the young outfielder. As it turned out, Bruce ended up landing a three-year, $39MM deal to return to the Mets.
- Speaking of the Mets, Heyman writes that the team would still be willing to deal Juan Lagares if a trade partner could be found. Lagares had been a frequent subject of trade rumors over the winter, and the Mets’ outfield situation has once again become overly crowded now that Michael Conforto has returned from the disabled list. With Conforto and Brandon Nimmo both capable of playing center field, Lagares’ contract ($16MM guaranteed in 2018-19) and lack of hitting makes him expendable, though Lagares is a superb defender. It’s possible the Mets could find an interested team later in the season as injuries or pennant race needs emerge, though one would think New York would have to eat at least some of the contract to make a deal happen. On the flip side, Lagares could provide valuable depth if the Mets are again hit with injuries, or if Bruce is needed at first base in the event that Adrian Gonzalez can’t hold up over regular playing time.
- Jarred Cosart will soon throw for teams in a showcase, as the free agent righty looks to catch on with another team. Elbow surgery limited Cosart to just 24 MLB innings in 2017, and the Padres outrighted him off their roster after the season rather than pay him a projected $1.3MM via the arbitration process.
I can’t stand Harper. I’d much rather see Machado man 3rd.
HAHA I wouldn’t worry, I highly doubt you’ll be faced with that quandry.
I hope not
Machado isn’t willing to play 3B
Braves 100% better be going after Harper! I personally dream that Harper and machado will both one day wear a braves uniform. But I doubt it will ever happen. Even in my dream it’s a fussy picture
I’d rather Harper and Kimbrel
Much more likely to both be wearing Phillies jerseys
It’s much more likely that neither one ends up on the same team at any point in their careers.
same thought who’s gonna pay them 70mil combined
Guess NL All-Star team doesn’t count.
both will be A’s in 2031
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) the Braves won’t sign Harper or Machado to some mega 300 million deal. They also won’t sign Kimbrel. They’ll spend their money on starting pitching.
300 million? Haha yea right. More like 7.7 billion…
That’s easy to say after this crazy offseason; at the time they were just paying market value
“With Conforto and Brandon Nimmo both capable of playing center field, . . . “
Depends on what you mean by “capable.”
Very true. Heck, I’m technically capable of playing center field, but I wouldn’t recommend that I ever do so.
I’d love to see that happen. Ha!
Capable as in they can both catch fly balls without dropping them and hit the relay man.
I’m honestly a bigger believer at Preston Tucker at this point over Riley. I know it’s small sample size, but I think Tucker is too legit to be a 4th OF. If he keeps being good and Acuna comes even close to the hype, I think we go for Machado, then Kimbrel. That’d fix 3rd, anchor the bullpen, and our offense would be set. The only question is do even some of the starting pitching prospects work out. If they do, Braves will be division champs in 2019.
problem is Machado says he won’t play sign to play 3rd. question is will be sacrifice $$to make that happen
If you have a chance at Machado you move on from Dansby, or move him to third…
There are very few SS’s you wouldn’t move off to add Machado and Swanson certainly isn’t one of them. Seager, Gregorious, Correa, Lindor, Simmons are the only guys off the top of my head.
Simmons>in a heart beat
Didi>yessss
Why do you want Kimbrel back? He’s expensive, and a lot of flames have come out of that arm/shoulder.
Yeah. Forget Kimbrel
@ Mack83 – Yeah, a lot of those flames have flamed out alright, he had 39 SV’s for San Diego in 2015, 31 SV’s for Boston in 2016, 35 for them last season and already 5 for the Red Sox this season.
Yup, he needs to just hang up his spikes and retire. *insert eye roll* (sarcasm). What a ignorant statement to make.
OH LOOK!! A Heyman article about a Boras client….. Never seen one of those before.
Anything Steve Philips says, you take with a grain of salt.
Come on XM. Lose Philips.
Just ask the 22 y/o production assistant.
Harper will be a Giant. He can have the locker next to Strickland.
Harper is awesome and 1 of 5 best players playing today.
Just curious where you’d rank Freeman?
JoeyPankake that would be hilarious after there history together.
Good luck dealing JetLag without eating major dollars…..
“as it isn’t known whether Harper himself would consider the Braves”
So Harper is going to get identical offers and told he has to choose where he wants to play?
That’s exactly what collusion looks like.
You’re an idiot.
Even Harper knows that…
I’m not a genius or anything, but how is it collusion when you have multiple offers, and you can make a choice based off of preference?
I hope the Braves would publicly come out and say they will not consider Harper. I don’t want my team to aid a bidding war for him. Not that he will need any help creating a market. Let him sign with the Yankees or Red Sox or the Angels or anywhere else away from the NL East for 350-400 million.
You own part of the Braves?
Well, the Braves are a publicly traded commodity, so your attempt at sarcasm may be misplaced here…
I hope I’m wrong but the Braves will never again give a mega contract as long as Liberty Media still owns the team. We’re basically a small market team and budget but in a large market area. Come on’ Arthur Blank, buy the Braves please!!!!
Never again??? Upton and his $75.25M was never a mega-contract. While Harper money is unexpected, ATL is in a position to easily break their franchise record for free agent contracts. Liberty has stood by their word and kept the budget in line with attendance, so I don’t know why you think they would stop that just because they answer to stockholders.
Signing Harper would be amazing for the Braves in terms of talent, attendance, national popularity…..but it would be conflicting for a fan base who currently refers to him as Bruce Hooper lol. We’d all have to stop hating him….I for one would change my opinion of the guy lol
BJ Upton’s contract was a ‘mega-contract’ in relative terms for what the Braves typically do. The biggest signing in years was a relatively small contract by today’s standard and for a second tier free agent player at that. What suggests things will suddenly change and we go after the biggest free agent in years plus handing out an all time record contract?! I highly doubt more attendance will facilitate a $350-$400 million contract by next winter…
Anthopoulos had a self-imposed rule not signing any player for more than 5-years. Not sure if he will implement that in Atlanta. Time will tell.
Ok two “big money” contracts with BIG benefits, two names for the Braves… Harper, Machado. I think for the right amount of $$, I think Manuel would/could move back to 3rd. Just saying!
Markakis and Inciarte for Mazara and DeShields
Why would we trade two better players for two worse players? Contract is all I can think of but at what cost? I raising all star with 2 Gold gloves under his belt for two pretty bad players simply to dumb 1 year worth kinda sorta bad contract of Markakis. I mean, his contract sucks, but the guy still puts up better numbers than Mazara and DeShields. lol He’s won a few gold gloves himself. I know he’s not the same player he once was, but this is outrageous.
A more appropriate trading conversation starter would be Markakis and a low lvl minor league or two, for Mazara and DeShields, but even then this doesn’t fit the braves needs.