Bryce Harper's comments about Mike Trout's future free agency didn't go unnoticed by the Los Angeles Angels' front office.
The Angels contacted Major League Baseball on Tuesday regarding a potential tampering violation following Harper's comments about planning to recruit Trout to the Philadelphia Phillies in two years.
"We've been in touch with MLB and we have no further comment at this time," Angels general manager Billy Eppler said on Tuesday, according to Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times.
Although MLB has yet to determine whether the comments constitute tampering, the league has already discussed the issue with both the Angels and Phillies, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Harper could face a fine for using Trout's name, but he likely won't receive significant discipline, Passan reports.
Speaking on a Philadelphia radio station earlier Tuesday, Harper made it clear he would do his part to recruit Trout once the two-time AL MVP hits free agency after the 2020 season.
"If you don't think I'm gonna call Mike Trout to come to Philly in 2020, you're crazy," Harper said.
The Phillies have long been linked to Trout as a possible free-agency destination due to the proximity of his home state of New Jersey and his love for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia just locked up Harper for the next 13 seasons and is expected to have plenty of financial resources should Trout reach free agency. The team is also expected to be a World Series contender. In Trout's eight seasons with the Angels, he's appeared in just three postseason games.
