Until the next mystery team reveals itself, Bryce Harper is either returning the Nationals or choosing to play the next decade or so from among three of the four worst teams in baseball over the past six years. Combined winning seasons for the White Sox, Phillies and Padres in that time: zero.
At least eight teams have expressed interest in Harper, according to a source familiar with his free agency. But those teams among them who simply are doing due diligence or hoping to get Harper on a short-term deal—buying his prime years without the strings attached of paying a mid-30s Harper—are likely to remain on the periphery.