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After the Cubs lost to the Rockies in the Wild Card Game, Bovada released odds, listing the most likely landing spots for Bryce Harper in free agency. The Cubs were the favorites.
This was back on Oct. 4.
Updated odds for which team Bryce Harper will be on for the first game of 2019 (@BovadaOfficial):
Cubs EVEN
LAD +500
PHI +550
NYY +600
WSH +700
BOS +1100
LAA +1200
SF +1600— OddsShark (@OddsShark) October 4, 2018
So, at that time the Cubs weren’t just considered the favorites to sign Harper, they were way ahead of everyone else at even money.
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However, there’s been a change now that the World Series has concluded and free agency begins in less than a week.
The Cubs are still among the favorites to sign Harper, but they’re no longer number one. That distinction now belongs to the Phillies. The Cubs are second at +300.
Updated odds for what team Bryce Harper will be on for the first game of the 2019 regular season (@BovadaOfficial):
Phillies EVEN
Cubs +300
Nationals +400
Giants +750
Yankees +800
Dodgers +850
Red Sox +1500
Angels +1500— OddsShark (@OddsShark) October 29, 2018
There was also a report circulating today that the Yankees apparently won’t be pursuing Harper in free agency.
Via SNY.
As the Yankees wrapped their pro scouting meetings last week and determined a preliminary offseason strategy, a pursuit of free agent outfielder Bryce Harper was not part of the plan, according to major league sources.
As with Manny Machado, who the Yankees will monitor but not likely pursue aggressively, ownership could step in and mandate a Harper signing. The Steinbrenner family just watched the Boston Red Sox win yet another World Series, and might be in the mood to load up on superstars.
But the Yankees’ early feeling is that Harper simply doesn’t fit. While they could use the lefthanded bat in a righty-heavy lineup, they feel that their outfield and DH spots are spoken for.
So, that might explain why New York’s odds have dropped.
As for the Phillies becoming the new favorite to sign Harper, that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. They have a lot of money to spend, with a good, young nucleus for Harper to join in Philadelphia. They’ve been linked to Harper all throughout 2018.
Regardless of what happens to be reported in the next couple weeks, you should expect the Cubs to be right in the mix for Harper.
