Bryce Harper Rumors: Dodgers 'Back in the Mix,' Among 5 Teams Eyeing Free Agent

The Philadelphia Phillies appear to have some major-market competition for Bryce Harper. 

Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reported the Los Angeles Dodgers have worked their way "back in the mix" for Harper, with manager Dave Roberts among a contingent who went to Las Vegas on Saturday to meet with the free-agent slugger.

The Dodgers were thought to be a contender after trading Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to the Cincinnati Reds earlier this offseason, but their pursuit appeared to halt upon the signing of A.J. Pollock.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the Dodgers are one of five teams interested in signing Harper, though "the situation is fluid" so that number could change.

Heyman categorized the Dodgers interest as a "surprise," and their late entry could make them a "major threat" to a race that looked to be the Philadelphia Phillies and everyone else.

The Phillies have been considered far and away the favorites to land Harper throughout the process. Owner John Middleton met with Harper and agent Scott Boras on Friday and Saturday before leaving without a signed contract. ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported the two sides are expected to reconvene this week.

Middleton had promised a huge winter of spending from the Phillies, who have endured the last few seasons rebuilding their roster with young talent and riding out bad contracts.

The Dodgers' desire to make a splash could have been influenced by Manny Machado's semi-surprising signing with the San Diego Padres. While the Padres aren't viewed as a major threat for the 2019 season—they're still far too young—the Dodgers' long-term stranglehold on the division is loosening. San Diego has the best farm system in baseball and has opened up the bank the last two winters for Machado and Eric Hosmer.

The San Francisco Giants are also among the teams interested in Harper. If the Giants were to land him, the Dodgers are at risk of looking like they're sitting on their hands while the rest of the division engages in an arms race.

The optics alone are enough to make the Dodgers at least throw their hat in the ring.