John Middleton’s Friday flight to Las Vegas may ultimately prove to be the pivotal strategic move that helps land free agent outfielder Bryce Harper, but for those that believe a deal between the two sides is a just a matter of time, I’ve got some bad news. According to MLB.com reporter Jesse Sanchez, the Dodgers are back in:

I’m sure that everyone here in Philadelphia will handle this revelation with poise and rationality:

https://twitter.com/AngeloCataldi/status/1099977924340604928

Yup. That’s about right.

Prior to the Dodgers’ reported renewed involvement, there had been a growing sense among both local and national baseball writers that the Phillies were finally on the verge of getting this done. That very well may still be the case. It’s possible Los Angeles is checking in with a short-term offer that Harper and agent Scott Boras simply aren’t interested in. Then again, it’s also possible the Dodgers were sitting back this entire time letting the Phillies think they would reach the finish line only to pass them at the end.

Either way, it feels like this is the week we finally find out.