Atlanta Braves: Slow Market Giving Atlanta a Shot at Signing Harper

Bryce Harper signing with the Atlanta Braves may be a long shot, but it makes sense for both sides. Harper would fill a big hole on the Braves roster and give them one of, if not the best lineups in the National League.

Bryce Harper has long been a hated rival, the Atlanta Braves fan base, however, wouldn’t mind seeing him become a Brave. Harper could take the Braves  vacant spot in right-field and hit cleanup offering the Braves pop they have lacked the past few seasons.

Harper is seemingly a perfect fit in Atlanta considering he fixes all of Atlanta’s shortcomings offensively. He would fix their lack of an obvious cleanup hitter, as well as offer some much needed power.

Harper is still only 26-years old and would fit perfectly with Atlanta’s youth movement. The one problem with this scenario? The price for Harper is expected to be record setting, and likely to be handed out by one of the teams with a bigger market.

The only way Bryce comes to Atlanta is if the Braves truly believe they are close to a World Series title or the Harper’s market doesn’t develop as expected. Both of these are very unlikely scenarios.

Still the longer the off-season drags on and the longer Bryce remains unsigned the better the chances the Braves decide to throw their hat into the ring.

Harper to Atlanta is a dream scenario for a team who is so close to being a serious postseason contender.

The slow free agent market is giving Atlanta a chance to sign one of the best young stars in baseball. Aside from the short term problem financially, signing Harper could cause the Braves to lose young home grown  talent in the future.

With that in mind, and the exorbitant price it is unlikely Harper ends up with the Braves. But it is a scenario the Braves should consider and one all Braves fans hope ends the off-season silence.