Chicago Cubs Speculated as Potential Trade Destination for Bryce Harper
The Chicago Cubs have emerged as a potential trade destination for Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies after both teams were eliminated from the playoffs sooner than anticipated.
The Cubs were swept in the National League Wild Card Series by the San Diego Padres, scoring only one run throughout the series. Meanwhile, the Phillies lost to the Atlanta Braves in the same round, prompting speculation that they might consider trading veterans this offseason.
Nick Ziegler from Philadelphia Phillies on SI identified the Cubs as one of three early candidates for Harper, highlighting their status as a National League contender that fell short of its objectives. Harper, who played all 162 games in 2026, had a strong season with a .269 batting average, 29 home runs, and 87 RBIs. However, any potential trade would be complicated by Harper's no-trade clause in his contract, which has five years and approximately $125 million remaining.
