LOS ANGELES _ As the Washington Nationals conducted a fire sale of veteran players, sending second baseman Daniel Murphy to the Chicago Cubs and first baseman Matt Adams to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Los Angeles Dodgers put in a claim to acquire the biggest star on Washington's roster: Bryce Harper.
"I think we claimed him," manager Dave Roberts said before Tuesday's game against St. Louis. "I can't even get into that."
The two sides did not make a trade, with Harper still in Washington as the Nationals attempt to vault out of third place in the National League East. The Dodgers have an identical goal in the West, although their climb to first will not be as steep as the one facing the Nationals.
After the July 31 trade deadline, teams can make deals by putting players through waivers.
If the Dodgers claimed Harper, they may have prevented division rivals such as Arizona and Colorado from getting a chance to make a deal for him.
Washington general manager Mike Rizzo insisted Harper would not be dealt at the deadline last month. Harper is a six-time All-Star. He will be a free agent this winter. The Dodgers are expected to at least consider pursuing him.
"I had no fear of being traded," Harper told reporters in Washington.
