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  6. article_body => "<p>After<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/twists-and-turns-keep-coming-harper-sweepstakes\"> weeks of twists and turns<\/a> and not enough information for any Nationals fan's satisfaction, the Chicago Cubs seem to be out of the race for free agent Bryce Harper.<\/p>\n<p>Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant seemingly confirmed the news on Friday night from the opening ceremonies of the 2019 Cubs Convention.<\/p>\n<p>\"He's not signing here,\" Bryant said&nbsp;as he sat down with NBC Sports Chicago.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Though there have been no official reports of whether or not the Cubs are completely out in the race to sign Harper, a word from one of Harper's longtime friends shouldn't be brushed aside.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Kris Bryant, on Bryce Harper: \u201cHe\u2019s not signing here.\u201d Said Cubs have a \u201ckiller team\u201d even without any major additions. Added that he doesn\u2019t talk about the FA process with Harper.<\/p>&mdash; Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLBastian\/status\/1086398994937536512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 18, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Bryant and Harper took&nbsp;the field together in the 2016 MLB All-Star game, and faced off in the 2017 NLDS Cubs-Nats matchup.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The pair have known each other since grade schoool, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/news\/kris-bryant-praises-boyhood-rival-bryce-harper\/c-126369928\">played for rival high schools<\/a> in Las Vegas. But despite their history, Bryant says that they haven't chatted much about the situation otherwise, choosing to focus on preserving their friendship.<\/p>\n<p>\"I never bring it up to him,\" Bryant admitted. \"I try to be a good friend to him, and not talk about baseball when he doesn't want to talk about baseball.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Whatever happens, I wish [him] the best.\"<\/p>\n<p>You can see more of Bryant's interview with&nbsp;NBCSC below.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">If Bryce Harper isn&#39;t joining the Cubs, Kris Bryant wants to smash him every time they play! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/T0dE72J9Em\">pic.twitter.com\/T0dE72J9Em<\/a><\/p>&mdash; NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBCSChicago\/status\/1086409540357230597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 18, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p><em><strong>MORE NATIONALS NEWS:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Soap opera stress: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/twists-and-turns-keep-coming-harper-sweepstakes\">The Harper saga keeps unfolding<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Weather update:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/philadelphia-and-dc-are-both-likely-get-dose-harper-winter-storm-weekend\">Harper - the storm - is headed for Philly<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Money moves:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/whats-it-mlb-players-when-their-big-contract-money-hits-some-advice-bryce-harper\">How players&nbsp;fathom MLB contract dollars<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Nationals

Nationals

After weeks of twists and turns and not enough information for any Nationals fan's satisfaction, the Chicago Cubs seem to be out of the race for free agent Bryce Harper.

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant seemingly confirmed the news on Friday night from the opening ceremonies of the 2019 Cubs Convention.

"He's not signing here," Bryant said as he sat down with NBC Sports Chicago. 

Though there have been no official reports of whether or not the Cubs are completely out in the race to sign Harper, a word from one of Harper's longtime friends shouldn't be brushed aside.

Bryant and Harper took the field together in the 2016 MLB All-Star game, and faced off in the 2017 NLDS Cubs-Nats matchup. 

The pair have known each other since grade schoool, and played for rival high schools in Las Vegas. But despite their history, Bryant says that they haven't chatted much about the situation otherwise, choosing to focus on preserving their friendship.

"I never bring it up to him," Bryant admitted. "I try to be a good friend to him, and not talk about baseball when he doesn't want to talk about baseball."

 

"Whatever happens, I wish [him] the best."

You can see more of Bryant's interview with NBCSC below.

MORE NATIONALS NEWS: