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Bryce Harper Trade Rumors: Mike Rizzo Says Bryce Harper Is Not Going Anywhere

The MLB trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday and Bryce Harper could be on his way out of Waashington.

One of the biggest names in baseball could be changing teams before Tuesday is over as 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper has been made available.

The Nationals have made the playoffs four of the last six seasons and finished second in the NL East the two seasons they missed out. This year, however, Washington (52-53) is third in the NL East, 5 1/2 games behind the first-place Phillies and the second wild-card spot.

Harper, 25, is in the last year of his contract and expected to be one of the biggest free agents on the market this winter.

With Washington's 2018 playoff hopes fading and all the question marks surrounding Harper's free agency, a trade would make sense for the Nationals.

Harper is still owed $7 million for the remainder of the season, something teams like the Dodgers and Yankees—who are near the $197 million luxury tax treshold—would have to consider before making a move for the six-time All-Star.

Stay up to date with the latest rumors, news and reports regarding Harper as Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline draws closer.

10 a.m. 

• Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo: "Bryce is not going anywhere. I believe in this team." (Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)

• Rizzo also texted Jon Heyman of Fancred "I love Harp." (Jon Heyman, Fancred)

• Nationals ownership has "pulled the plug" on potential Harper deals, despite manuvering by Washington executives (Jorge Castillo, Washington Post)

• The Indians, Cubs, Dodgers and Diamondbacks are the four teams that make the most sense for Harper. (Buster Olney, ESPN)

• Many executives are not dismissing the possibility of a Harper trade. (Joel Sherman, New York Post)

9 a.m.

• The Nationals are making it known that Bryce Harper is available. (Mark Feinsand, MLB.com)

• Washington would consider dealing Harper and then look to bring him back as a free agent after the season. (Tim Kurkjian, ESPN)

• There is no word on if the Nationals are simply listening to offers for Bryce Harper or actively making calls about potential trades. (Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post)

• A rival executive would be "shocked" if the Nationals move Bryce Harper. The executive thinks they are trying to see if a team "wants to go crazy." (Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic)

• The Indians have been in talks with the Nationals about a Bryce Harper trade, but the discussions have little momentum. (Jon Morosi, MLB.com)

• League rivals are under the impression that the Nationals do not actually have any plans or intentions of trading Bryce Harper within the next day. Washington is hoping to sign him to a long-term contract and it remains in playoff contention. (Jon Heyman, FanCred)