*This is a prediction*
If Bryce Harper were to be traded, that would send shockwaves through the MLB. However, at 33 years old, it’s not impossible, and the Chicago Cubs are likely going to need a Kyle Tucker replacement.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report created a mock trade for the scenario in an article called “Pitching Unpopular MLB Offseason Trade Ideas”. While not all of these seem like there’s a high probability of them happening, it makes for good entertainment to discuss.
Rymer explains that, “he’s only going to get traded if he approves of where he would be going…has even said the Cubs were his No. 1 choice when he was a free agent six years ago…Harper is owed $153 million over the next six years, which is a mere fraction of what Kyle Tucker could get in free agency”
With that in mind, let’s break down this possible but massive trade scenario between the Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies.
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Philadelphia Phillies Trading Bryce Harper to the Chicago Cubs
Now, at this point, it doesn’t seem wise for the Philadelphia Phillies not to even field offers for Harper, even if it’s a massive deal. Harper is great, but he’s not quite the franchise player that he once was early in his career.
Here’s the mock trade that Rymer created. “Chicago Cubs get 1B Bryce Harper; Philadelphia Phillies get OF Owen Caissie (Cubs No. 2), RHP Jaxon Wiggins (Cubs No. 4)”
While we’ve been looking at the case to trade away Harper already, this just doesn’t seem like nearly enough. Sure, Harper isn’t the same player he was once, but last season, he was still fantastic.
Harper had 3.1 WAR, 27 home runs, a .261 batting average, and a .357 OBP. When you go over to Baseball Savant, those numbers are great as well.
Harper had a Batting Run Value of 23 (89th percentile), Baserunning Run Value of zero (56th percentile), and Fielding Run Value of -1 (46th percentile). Although those other numbers are a bit lower, it’s tough to justify trading away one of the best hitters in the MLB.
Does Bryce Harper Fit with the Chicago Cubs?
In terms of whether Harper fits with the Cubs, the answer should be absolutely yes. As discussed above, Harper would likely love the opportunity to play in Chicago before the end of his career.
From the Cubs’ side of things, this would be the best-case scenario. If they’re not able to bring Tucker back, that’s going to leave a massive hole in their offensive production.
There are a few players in the MLB that can be just as good as Tucker, and Harper is one of them. Now that Harper is 33 years old, he would really only be a good fit on a contending roster.
Despite losing to the Milwaukee Brewers in the playoffs last year, this team won 92 games. If the Cubs were able to land Harper, there’s no reason that they couldn’t make it back to the postseason again.
Bryce Harper Contract
Right now, as talked about above, Harper is playing on his 13 year, $330 million deal that he signed with the Phillies. From a money standpoint, this deal could absolutely work for the Cubs.
If the Chicago Cubs were able to get Bryce Harper for the cost in that mock trade above, they should absolutely do it. From the Philadelphia Phillies side of things, though, it seems better to just keep Harper at this point.