Cubs Rumors: Bryce Harper decision expected in the coming days?

Cubs Rumors: Is this the Dodgers’ last push with this group?

Coming off three-straight NLCS appearances and back-to-back pennants, the Los Angeles Dodgers undoubtedly have a pretty strong sense of urgency at this point. As mentioned, Kershaw is far from the guy who dominated opponents and averaged 32 starts and 222 innings of 2.24 ERA ball from 2010 to 2015.

The club cleared space in their crowded outfield picture via trade this offseason, unloading both Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp. That leaves Los Angeles with a projected starting outfield of Joc Pederson, A.J. Pollock and Cody Bellinger. Now, that’s a solid group – but you could easily unload Pederson for pitching to clear space for someone like Harper.

Behind an aging Kershaw, the Dodgers are relying heavily upon soon-to-be 39-year-old Rich Hill. Granted they boast 2018 Rookie of the Year finalist Walker Buehler – but Hyun-Jin Ryu, one of their other starters was limited to just 15 starts last year, as well. Adding another young, controllable arm wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world and a trade could be the way to do it.

Adding Harper would immediately boost the Dodgers’ chance of winning a third consecutive pennant and maybe, just maybe, be what they need to get over the hump and win the club’s first World Series title since 1988.

Cubs Rumors: Phillies still haven’t spent their ‘stupid money’

All the reports I noted earlier indicate the Philadelphia Phillies remain the only team engaged in long-term talks with the former Nationals star. And, to be blunt, I don’t see that changing. But again and again this winter, we’ve heard people question whether or not Harper wants to play in Philadelphia.

Now whether or not you believe those rumors to be accurate or not, they’re still present – and in today’s social media-driven world, that makes them relevant in these discussions.

The Phillies looked like a potential playoff team last year – before fading hard down the stretch. The front office has been busy this winter, adding the likes of Jean Segura, J.T. Realmuto and Andrew McCutchen, among others, to the team’s young core – but what it still needs is a face of the franchise.

Enter Bryce Harper.

Taking the former face of your biggest division rival and cementing him in the middle of your lineup for the next decade seems like a pretty decent way to take the legs out from under the Nats. The Phillies have the money to spend and they need the big bopper who can help the lineup take the next step.

It’s time to make it happen.

Cubs Rumors: We’re rolling with the cards in our hand this season

At this point, it doesn’t matter to the Cubs where Bryce Harper signs. He’s not coming to Chicago, so if you’re still clinging to that delusional pipe dream, do yourself a favor and let it go.

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Given Chicago’s recent history with Los Angeles (they took turns eliminating one another in the NLCS in 2016 and 2017) – seeing Harper go to the Dodgers would likely be more significant. Still, it’s not like the Cubs don’t have their own stars who are more than capable of going toe-to-toe with him (namely, his childhood friend and fellow former MVP Kris Bryant).

The Phillies have their work cut out for them in a vastly improved National League East – and still don’t represent as big a threat to Chicago as the Dodgers. The only other team loosely linked to Harper, the San Francisco Giants, still seem like a pretty long shot given they’re on the precipice of a rebuild as things stand.

But here’s what you really need to know. It doesn’t matter where Bryce Harper signs. The Chicago Cubs, as the Baseball Tonight podcast put it last week, seemed ‘fat and happy’ in 2018. Chicago’s offense broke, they watched a third-straight division title evaporate right in front of them and then, they lost to the Colorado Rockies in the Wild Card game.

This season, it’s all about getting back to the basics. Don’t worry about what the Phillies and Dodgers are doing. Focus on playing sound, fundamental baseball – and most importantly, go out there and have some fun winning.