Los Angeles Dodgers: Why Bryce Harper won’t sign with LA

2. There is already a crowded outfield

If there is one area of the roster that the Los Angeles Dodgers always have a surplus of players in it is in the outfield. Over the last six seasons, the Dodgers have fielded an assortment of different outfielders and every single year we have the conversation that someone in the big leagues is blocking a big-time prospect.

For a while, that was Joc Pederson, now, that has transitioned to Alex Verdugo, the Dodgers top prospect. Verdugo has to have a spot in the Dodgers outfield or the team would simply have to move on and trade him for an established big league name. There is no point of having him play yet another year in AAA.

Trading Verdugo is not something the Dodgers seem keen on doing considering the team had all the chances to trade him for an outfielder last winter.

And let’s not forget that Pederson, Chris Taylor and Yasiel Puig also patrol the outfield. Cody Bellinger might also see a ton of time in center field if the team wants to play Max Muncy at first base.

To be fair, there is a way the Dodgers can knock out two birds with one stone. The team can package a deal focused around Pederson, Kemp and prospect D.J. Peters to an American League team for a catcher or second baseman.

Heck, I would even deal Pederson and Kemp for cash if it meant getting Kemp’s contract off the books and getting Harper.

That would open two roster spots in the outfield for Verdugo and Harper.

That has to be the route the Dodgers take in order to get Harper. If the team does not sign Harper, the influx of outfielders and inability to get a deal done will be a big reason why.