Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Corey Kluber, Bryce Harper, Trade

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ST. LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 16: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals looks on from the dugout during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on August 16, 2018, in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

If the goal is to get the stove hot and start cooking on it, the Dodgers are far from doing it. Mega-free agent, Bryce Harper has been all over the headlines and the words ‘Los Angeles Dodgers’ have been nowhere near them.

Bryce Harper was a steep addition all along. Having come into the offseason seeking a deal worth ten years and at least $300 million, the 26-year old Harper and Andrew Friedman were not exactly a destined pairing.

For some time, it felt as though the Dodgers were, against some predictions, in the race to land Harper for a price that would make both sides happy but lately, reports seem to be confirming Dodger fan’s worst nightmares: he is headed elsewhere.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that the connection between Harper and the Washington Nationals is ‘heating up’ and multiple reports have confirmed that the Phillies will be meeting with Harper in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 9 to discuss a deal. Both clubs are expected to outbid the Dodgers by a significant margin.

Nationals, Phillies 'heating up' on Harper, Machado; are their markets finally beginning to take shape? https://t.co/qT21yrznlQ
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 9, 2019

Many fans and analysts would look at this and see failure for the Dodgers who traded away Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to clear salary space and drop further below the luxury tax. However, with other expensive players on the trade market like Corey Kluber and players on the free agency market like Craig Kimbrel and Adam Ottavino, failing to sign Harper may not be so catastrophic after all.