(Nick Wass/AP)Starting some time Monday evening, as Tuesday’s 4 p.m. nonwaiver trade deadline inched nearer, Bryce Harper-mania seized the baseball world. As of late Monday night, people familiar with their plans said the Nationals had not ruled out trading Harper. Then General Manager Mike Rizzo, who said he went sleepless Monday night, sent a text message to The Washington Post. The Nationals were in touch with multiple teams Monday about Harper, according to people familiar with their plans. When an anonymous executive criticized Harper this spring, Rizzo found a reporter to whom he could defend Harper vehemently.

Source: Washington Post July 31, 2018 14:55 UTC