Chicago Cubs Rumors: The latest in the Bryce Harper sweepstakes

Chicago Cubs: South Side interest?

Still, nothing’s set in stone with the Dodgers, as the report also states that plenty of other teams will visit with Harper in the coming weeks and months to try to woo the star outfielder. One of those teams that might surprise some people is the Chicago White Sox.

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The White Sox are very much in the middle of a rebuild, with their peak still at least a season away. But the Yahoo Sports report also mentioned the White Sox sent Hall-of-Famer Jim Thome to Harper to try to steer him towards the South Side of Chicago, rather than the North Side.

Harper going to the White Sox would be a stunning development, and it’s still very much a long shot, as so many teams are still in the hunt for Harper. But it’s worth considering what him going to the Sox would mean for Cubs fans.

Harper could certainly steal some attention away from Wrigley in heading to the South Side, and he could help carry the Sox to contention, fast.

However, it still seems unlikely he would choose to leave a Nationals team where he couldn’t win a playoff series and put himself in a rebuilding situation. It would make much more sense for him to choose an immediate contender—be it the Cubs, Phillies, Dodgers or someone else.

While Harper still seems like an option for the Cubs, the buzz is around other teams right now – some of which Cubs fans won’t be happy about. But it’s important to remember that the Cubs can absolutely get Harper if that’s what the front office feels is necessary and right.

All it takes is a commitment to spend the money and accept the consequence of going over the competitive balance tax.