Chicago Cubs: How would Bryce Harper signing impact other outfielders?

The story of the offseason is already written: will the Chicago Cubs pony up for either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado? Only time will tell.

Let’s make one thing perfectly clear. This discussion started a long time ago with Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts. And it’s a lot more than just sizing up two guys, both of whom have tremendous star power and impact potential.

Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals are watching October baseball the same way as all of us – from their couches. Manny Machado, once a midseason trade target of the Cubs, went from the league-worst Baltimore Orioles to one of the final two teams left standing in the National League in the Dodgers.

It’s infielder versus outfielder, offense versus defense, a right-handed or left-handed bat. Do they go with Kris Bryant‘s childhood teammate or Albert Almora‘s longtime friend? But, at least for now, let’s focus on the possible ramifications of the Cubs opening up the checkbook and signing Bryce Harper.