MLB Rumors: Phillies, Cubs, Nationals Have Best Odds To Sign Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper will officially become a free agent Saturday morning, giving him the chance to sign with anyone in baseball. If the latest betting odds mean anything, there are only a few realistic landing spots for the most sought after player of the 2018-2019 MLB offseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies are the favorites to sign Harper, according to OddsShark, with even odds. They are followed by the Chicago Cubs (+300), Washington Nationals (+400) and San Francisco Giants (+750). The New York Yankees (+800) and Los Angeles Dodgers (+850) are in the mix. The Boston Red Sox (+1500) and Los Angeles Angels (+1500) are long shots.

There seems to be a thought around the league that the Phillies will enter the 2019 season with either Harper or Manny Machado. Philadelphia has money to spend, and they are looking to become a contender after six straight losing seasons. The Phillies’ 80 wins in 2018 were their most since the 2011 season, and they might be one key addition away from making it back to the playoffs.

Philadelphia finished two games behind Washington in the NL East. The Nationals had a disappointing season, and there were even rumors that they might deal Harper at the July 31 trade deadline. Washington won the division three times from 2014-2017.

Chicago could throw money at Harper after the team’s offense cost them a shot at winning the NL Central and then the NL Wild-Card Game. Cubs’ Right-fielder Jason Heyward hit just eight home runs last season.

San Francisco can’t be counted out in the Bryce Harper Sweepstakes after another disappointing season. Only the Miami Marlins scored fewer runs than the Giants.

The Yankees seemed like a much bigger possibility to sign Harper a year ago. New York’s outfield is pretty crowded with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks set to return in 2019. Machado is a much more likely option to play in the Bronx.

It will be interesting to see what kind of contract Harper gets. There was talk that he could earn close to $400 million as a free agent when he won the NL MVP award a few years ago as a 23-year-old. Harper is still one of MLB’s top sluggers, but he hasn’t come close to matching his spectacular 2015 campaign.

Harper hit .249/.343/.496 in 2018, rebounding from a poor first half. He’s averaged 29 home runs, 91 RBI and a .511 OPS over the last three seasons.