Are the Dodgers about to go all-in for Bryce Harper?
That’s the prevailing question Friday after the Dodgers and Reds completed a blockbuster trade in which Los Angeles sent Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, Kyle Farmer and cash to Cincinnati in exchange for Homer Bailey, Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs.
In addition to involving several notable major leaguers, this trade has interesting financial ramifications, which Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan outlined on Twitter:
Kemp is set to earn $21.5 million in the final year of his contract, while Bailey will earn $23 million in 2019. Bailey’s contract includes a $25 million mutual option for 2020 or a $5 million buyout. However, Bailey counts as $17.5 million for luxury tax purposes. Kemp counts as $20 million.
The exact salaries for Puig and Wood — two players entering their final years of arbitration eligibility — are unclear at this point, but MLB Trade Rumors recently projected Puig will earn $11.3 million in 2019 and Wood will make $9 million.
The Dodgers, who reportedly are sending $7 million to the Reds, cleared roster space and created some payroll flexibility while also acquiring a couple of prospects with upside. That — coupled with the optics of trading two veteran outfielders — makes it natural to wonder whether signing Harper is Los Angeles’ next move.
It’s certainly possible, if not likely, as Harper long has been mentioned as a potential fit for the defending National League champions. But Passan explained Friday after the trade that the Dodgers could explore other options, too. This move simply opens several doors that had been closed.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal offered a similar assessment of the Dodgers’ post-trade situation:
Basically, it’d be wise to hold off on buying that “Harper” Dodgers jersey before Christmas. But it’s OK to put a few bucks aside for it, because the likelihood of him landing in L.A. seemingly increased Friday.
