Outdated Bryce Harper trade speculation ignores reality of Cubs’ situation
Bryce Harper has lengthy been considered because the one that got away for the Chicago Cubs. It made excellent sense for the Cubs to signal Harper forward of the 2019 season, however they shied away from his bidding. Harper, of course, established residency with the Philadelphia Phillies, however there’s been an uptick in speculation that he is not lengthy for the City of Brotherly Love.
It began in the course of the offseason, when Harper was upset over feedback by Dave Dombrowski suggesting that the celebrity first baseman wasn’t fairly a celebrity for the crew in 2025. Fast ahead to the beginning of the 2026 season, and the Phillies have been a prepare wreck, and Rob Thomson has already been fired as the team’s manager.
Unless there is a righting of the ship in Philadelphia quickly, it might appear that the Phillies are headed towards being sellers on the deadline. Harper’s title is certain to return up, and Bleacher Report is already making a listing of the groups that take advantage of sense for the 33-year-old first baseman.
Now, desirous about the Cubs and what they are going to be on the lookout for forward of the deadline, the plain reply is pitching. This is why it comes as a shock that the North Siders were ranked as the second-best fit for Harper this season.
The struggles of Michael Busch have been cited as a purpose why the Cubs might be thinking about Harper, and that Jaxon Wiggins might be the prospect who will get the dialog began.
The Bryce Harper dream might have light for the Cubs.
There’s some context wanted on the subject of the struggles of Busch. The 28-year-old has 55 house runs over the previous two years, and is an ascending fielder at first base. Harper is Harper, however the higher worth for the Cubs could also be rolling with Busch as their cost-controlled first baseman, particularly if the crew is not involved together with his gradual begin.
Along these traces, there’s purpose to consider Busch is rising from his stoop. Entering the weekend, he was slashing .254/.356/.381 with a wRC+ of 114 over his final 73 plate appearances.
As for Wiggins being an attractive prospect to supply in a possible trade, that is not the case in the intervening time. Wiggins stays sidelined with elbow irritation, and so long as there’s vagueness surrounding his standing, it is arduous to think about any crew will see him as the important thing piece in any trade.
There have been a lot of years when Harper would have looked great in the Cubs’ lineup. In 2026, that will now not maintain.
