clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Rumor or homer? Tracking which MLB teams are connected to Bryce Harper

We gathered every rumor that might indicate where Bryce Harper will sign this offseason. For the clubs that haven’t been connected to Harper, enjoy a video of him hitting a home run off them.

By Matt Weyrich
MLB: All Star Game-Home Run Derby Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Bryce Harper sweepstakes are well underway as teams have begun to court the free agent outfielder. As the most coveted player on the market, Harper has been surrounded by rumors and speculation all attempting to decipher where he might sign.

In an effort to keep track of everything, we compiled a list of every wisp of a rumor and organized them by team to try and make sense of it all. Of course, not all clubs have been fortunate enough to enjoy Harper’s ear. If a team doesn’t have any rumors connecting them to Harper, we attached a video of Harper going yard against them instead.

Good luck trying to figure out where he’s going. Your guess is as good as ours…

Arizona Diamondbacks:

Harper goes upper tank to dead center field.

Atlanta Braves:

A Braves beat reporter thinks Atlanta could be a player.

But after they signed Josh Donaldson…

Baltimore Orioles:

Talk about a ball getting out of here in a hurry.

Boston Red Sox:

Not much traction on the World Series champs’ interest in Harper — not that he gave them any reason to look past him…

Chicago Cubs:

Chicago won’t have a whole lot of flexibility this winter.

But the Harper negotiations were supposedly “picking up steam” two weeks ago and the Cubs were in on the fun.

Chicago White Sox:

The White Sox are looking into both Harper and Manny Machado.

Cincinnati Reds:

Harper made an appearance on College GameDay and picked Ohio State to beat Michigan. We’re not reading into things, you’re reading into things.

Cleveland Indians:

The Indians inquired about Harper at the non-waiver trade deadline, but couldn’t come to terms on prospects.

Colorado Rockies:

Harper playing at Coors for 81 games a year sounds like a fun time, but there are no rumors on the Rockies’ front. Here’s the first bomb he hit in Colorado, tying the game in the top of the ninth.

Detroit Tigers:

Beardless Bryce? Beardless Bryce.

Houston Astros:

Here’s another team that tried to get him at the deadline…

Kansas City Royals:

“Bryce Harper can’t hit the breaking ball.”

Los Angeles Angels:

Harper hits one over the head of Mike Trout.

Los Angeles Dodgers:

Despite a lack of noise surrounding the reigning NL pennant winners, it’s hard to rule out the Dodgers after they reportedly offered Yasiel Puig in a trade for Harper last summer.

Miami Marlins:

Yes, this is *that* three-homer game.

Milwaukee Brewers:

Bryce hits two of Washington’s eight homers in a 2017 win over Milwaukee.

Minnesota Twins:

Here’s a game-tying homer of the pinch-hitting variety.

New York Mets:

The Mets “have not ruled out a run at pursuing” Harper.

New York Yankees:

“It’s not happening.”

Bryce at first? “Unrealistic.”

Pitching appears to be the priority, even after acquiring James Paxton.

They are at least talking about it, though.

Oakland Athletics:

We wouldn’t necessarily call this a rumor, but Smash Mouth knows a thing or two about All-Stars.

Philadelphia Phillies:

Apparently, you can bank on Harper signing with Philly.

Harper and Trout, you say?

Oh yeah, and the Phillies want to spend “stupid” amounts of money this offseason.

Pittsburgh Pirates:

Remember that time Harper hit leadoff?

San Diego Padres:

“There’s No. 1!”

San Francisco Giants:

Despite some suggesting the Giants would be a good fit for Harper, the team is effectively staying out of it.

Seattle Mariners:

Harper hits two bombs at Safeco.

St. Louis Cardinals:

This tweet threw some members of Cardinals Twitter into a frenzy. Seriously. (Note the original tweet is from 2013.)

Tampa Bay Rays:

When Sports Illustrated said high school Harper could hit 500-foot home runs, they were talking about this one — when he hit the catwalk at Tropicana Field.

Texas Rangers:

They just don’t have the money.

Toronto Blue Jays:

Harper belts a deep ball north of the border, and a reporter just had to ask…

Washington Nationals:

Washington offered its homegrown star a reported $300 million.

But took it off the table once he rejected it.

They would still like to resume negotiations, though.

But will have to be willing to sign a record-setting contract in order to do it.

More From Federal Baseball