Important Reason the Cubs Should Seriously Try to Land Harper
The whole Bryce Harper conversation is a hot button topic for a lot of Chicago Cubs fans. Some of questioned his arrogance, some question his ability, and some question if he’s a team player. Others will say all greats are arrogant, his bad seasons he posts .900 OPS’, and only one idiot relief pitcher didn’t get along with him. Whether you believe Bryce is a good fit or not, he is btw, there are legitimate reasons for the Cubs to open up the checkbook and secure one of baseball’s greatest talents this offseason.
So of course the Cubs should sign Harper because he makes them better. They should sign him to help them compete. They should sign him to stay ahead of all other National League teams. They should sign him for the millions in marketing dollars he can bring in. But the biggest reason they should sign Harper might just be for Kris Bryant.
I know, I know, the friend angle is played out. I think so too, but that’s not where I’m going with this. Plus, it’s not just a Bryant only reason.
All of the young Cubs players are going to start coming up on free agency, and even before that the Cubs might need to make tough decisions based on arbitration raises and whatever decisions the team makes with guys like Cole Hamels and other potential free agent signings.
Let me get this straight, right now – whatever Kris Bryant seeks in his looming free agency it’s worth it. But, regardless of the dollar, there is a real damned chance that the Cubs can’t meet his price or that someone comes in and way outbids the field for his services. I don’t want to label Kris as a guy that’s in it for the money, he isn’t. But he’s made it rather clear that he will do what’s best for the players in this league, and the best thing for them is for him to sign the best contract on the table.
If Bryant leaves during the winter of 2022, and there’s a real chance he does, then the Cubs will have a large void to fill. Enter Bryce Harper.
I want to see a Cubs lineup that includes Bryant, Harper, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Willson Contreras. Sprinkle in a Kyle Schwarber and good Jason Heyward, an some this is an offense for the ages.
But that offense takes a huge drop off without Bryant, or without Rizzo or Baez or Contreras. Heck, it’s a completely different offense when you subtract one of those guys if the Cubs didn’t have Harper.
So signing Harper isn’t just a way to help the Cubs win in 2019, but it future proofs their window of opportunity for the next several years – even if someone like Bryant leaves.
This isnt the only reason, but it is A reason. A reason in like 20 that validate the Cubs pursuit of Bryce this offseason.
