Harper wants to stay with Nats, unsure if he's in team's plans

Bryce Harper could play his final home game as a member of the Washington Nationals on Wednesday afternoon.

Harper, who's set to hit free agency for the first time this offseason, said it would be "weird" to walk into Nationals Park as an opponent, but the final decision may not be his alone, according to Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post.

"I think about other cities, but I love it here," Harper said. "Am I in the plans, you know? I don't know. It's hard to think about, because it's all you know, and then you think about it, it's like, 'Well, it could all be over in a second.' It's kind of crazy."

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said in recent weeks that the team wants Harper to stay and that the sides have engaged in constant communication.

Still, with an influx of young talent in the outfield, and other players under contract, he may need to find a new home even if it's not his preference.

"I've always said: If I'm in those plans, I'd absolutely love to be here," Harper said. "But if I'm not, there's nothing I can do about it. There's nothing I can do. I would love to play next to (Victor) Robles or (Juan) Soto or (Adam) Eaton. I'd love to. But am I in those plans? I have no idea."

The slugger has been the face of the franchise since he debuted in 2012 as a 19-year-old. He stormed his way through opposing pitching to earn the NL Rookie of the Year and won MVP in 2015 thanks to a nearly superhuman showing when he hit .330/.460/.649 with 42 home runs in 153 games.

In what could be his last season with the Nationals, he is hitting .245/.390/.495 with 34 home runs. On Monday, he drove in his 100th run of the season, marking the first time he's surpassed the century mark in RBIs.