Phillies: Bryce Harper more realistic than Mike Trout
Is Bryce Harper a more realistic possibility for the Phillies than Mike Trout? The answer may surprise you
Almost every Phillies fan has a soft spot for Millville’s own Mike Trout, who’s an openly huge Eagles fan, and arguably the best player in baseball. Listen to any sports talk radio show in the Philadelphia area, and fans will ask the question, how can we obtain Mike Trout?
Once the Phillies hired former Angels executive Matt Klentak as their general manager, many felt that he could use his relationship with Trout and the Angels organization to land the ultimate prize.
While there is a glimmer of hope that Trout will one day wear red pinstripes, the superstar who makes more sense to be in the Phillies outfield for years to come is Bryce Harper, not Mike Trout.
The Phillies recently made headlines when John Perrotto of Baseball America reported the team will be connected to the Nationals outfielder.
"“[A] Phillies source says his team would have interest in trying to lure Harper to Philadelphia if he reaches free agency.”"
Harper is set to become a free agent after the 2018 season and would instantly help a struggling offense in need of an All-Star. The fact that Harper will likely test free agency after the 2018 season is a major reason why he is a better fit for the Phillies.
Scott Boras represents Harper, so it is almost a certainty that he will at least test the market to see what kind of offers he receives. If all things go to plan, top prospects Rhys Hoskins, Jorge Alfaro, J.P. Crawford, and others should be in the majors by the time Harper hits the open market.
Seeing a core of young players may entice him to jump ship from an aging Nationals team to the center of an up and coming lineup.
Philadelphia would be able to acquire a top-three player in the MLB, without losing any of their assets.
In contrast, Trout is not set to become a free agent until after the 2020 season, unless he opts out early through a loophole in the California legal system.
With Trout likely not opting out, the only other way to obtain him before 2021 is via trade, the last thing the Phillies organization needs is to deplete their farm system.
Related Story: Phillies Farm Report: Crawford getting hot
The team just replenished the system through trading every last piece of the 2008 World Series team. The reason the team has had a rough few years was because of a win now approach from 2008-2012 where they mortgaged the future to add pieces to try to add another World Series ring.
Philadelphia Phillies
Harper also makes more sense financially for the team. There is no question about it; Harper is going to command a record-setting contract. The timing of a mega deal for Harper makes more sense at the end of 2018, as the Phillies young core will still be making relatively small yearly salaries.
Waiting until after 2020, the Phillies will need more money on hand to lock up their home-grown talent as they begin to become eligible for arbitration and free agency.
In the long run, Trout is also likely to cost more than Harper. While Harper will sign a large deal, three years later, Trout’s agent will probably want his client to sign a historic deal of his own. Trout is felt by many to be slightly better than Harper, so one can expect when he is up for a new deal, he would command more than Harper signs for.
Fit in the outfield, and the lineup is also factored as to why Harper may be a better option. Trout is a center fielder. The Phillies have Odubel Herrera in center currently, who despite his struggles was an All-Star last season.
In the minors, the organization has center field prospects in last year’s number one overall pick Mickey Moniak, and Roman Quinn.
In contrast, Harper is a right fielder, which would allow the Phillies to have more options at center given the abundance of young talent at the position. Something that differentiates Harper from Trout as well is that Harper bats left-handed.
A left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup is a must, as Maikel Franco, and Alfaro and Hoskins are all right-handed.
Next: Phillies Power Ranking: 10 players most likely to be traded
One thing is for certain, either Harper or Trout would be welcome additions to the team. However, while hometown hero Mike Trout coming home to play for his childhood team is a great narrative, the better fit for the Phillies future is Harper.