Indians and Nationals Have Talked About Harper Deal

Update

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com the Washington Nationals have told teams that Bryce Harper is AVAILABLE at tomorrow’s deadline. This definitely makes things interesting. We will update this if anything happens tonight.

End of update

The Cleveland Indians are trying to push their chips to the center of the table.

They have been in contact with the Washington Nationals about Bryce Harper according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Morosi says the discussions have yet to gain momentum but at this time of the year, it only takes one call.

The Nationals are six games back in the NL East and have considered selling off their pieces who are due to be free agents at the end of 2018, such as Harper. The Indians are expected to coast to their third straight AL Central title behind a lineup of Jose Ramirez, Fransisco Lindor, and Michael Brantley and a bullpen of Andrew Miller, Brad Hand, and Cody Allen. Harper is hitting .220/.369/.473 with a 121 wRC+, all well below his career norms. Harper would appear to be unlucky and he looks poised for a good August and September.

Despite dealing their top prospect, Fransisco Mejia, the Indians still have some pieces to make a run at Harper and make it back to the World Series, which they lost in 2016. This would be a very fun combination.