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The Arizona Diamondbacks were linked to MLB superstar free agent Bryce Harper on Thursday.

Chris Russell of 106.7 the Fan in Washington said that a source told him that Harper, the former Nationals outfielder, has been interested in Arizona.

Harper is from Las Vegas, and playing in Arizona would put him close to hime and his family.

Russell said that Arizona's recent moves, however, have seemed to take the Diamondbacks out of the mix for Harper.

"I have been told all along that Arizona was a team that he had wanted to go to," Russell said. "But they dumped out (Paul) Goldschmidt, they dumped out (A.J.) Pollock, who was a free agent.

"They seemingly are rebuilding, but Bryce had wanted to go there because of the proximity to Vegas, pretty good hitter's ballpark, Chase Field in Phoenix. And he just thought that would be a good, ideal location for him and his wife to build a family."

RELATED: Bryce Harper meeting with Padres as both sides determine level of interest

Harper reportedly met with another NL West team on Thursday night in Las Vegas: The San Diego Padres.

Harper, 26, has been actively engaged with the Philadelphia Phillies, and to a lesser extent, the Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals.

The only known offer Harper received was in September from the Nationals for $300 million over 10 years, which was slightly deferred. Harper has spent his entire career with Washington.

Harper rejected the deal with no counter offer. The Nationals have since spent $200 million on the free agent market and insist their original offer is no longer on the table. It’s unknown whether owner Ted Lerner would make Harper another significant offer.

Spring training begins in just two weeks, but position players say they don’t need more than two weeks of camp to be ready for the season.

MORE:Bryce Harper a perfect fit with Diamondbacks? Making the case for Arizona

USA TODAY Sports' Gabe Lacques wrote about Harper's potential fit with the Diamondbacks in December.

"Harper is probably chagrined the Diamondbacks aren’t significant players in his chase," he wrote. "Phoenix would fit his vibe well. A pond-hop of a flight or a 300-mile drive from his hometown of Las Vegas, it’s a virtual baseball mecca year-round.

"The Diamondbacks’ Scottsdale spring training facility – arguably the finest in the game – would afford Harper and family a homefield advantage that eases the strain of baseball’s never-ending calendar. And heck, if they’re like many young couples, the geography provides that ideal close-but-not-too-close positioning to family."

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USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale contributed to this story.