Ross D. Franklin | AP

Randy Miler | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Yankees are in DC this week for two interleague games against the Washington Nationals, so there will some talk about this being a World Series preview.

And there probably will be a whole lot of speculating on whether Washington Nationals superstar right fielder Bryce Harper will use free agency next winter to sign with the Yankees.

No way?

No one envisioned the Yankees trading for Giancarlo Stanton until last December after the Miami Marlins struck out trying to deal the 2017 NL MVP to other clubs.

Here is what you need to know about Harper leading into the Yankees-Nats series, which will be played Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Nationals Park:

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Mark J. Rebilas } USA TODAY Sports

What will asking price be?

Scott Boras is Harper’s agent and you know what that means:

The price tag will be very high for Harper, a 25-year-old former MVP with 163 career homers who probably will become a six-time All-Star this year.

For a couple years, the speculation has been that the starting price would be for more than the record 13-year, $325-million contract that Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton signed in November 2014 when he was with the Miami Marlins.

The number that's been reported (but never was brought up on the record by Harper nor his representation) is 10 years for $400 million.

Obtainable?

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Many of the best free agents this past winter had to settle for far fewer dollars than expected due to most clubs changing its philosophy on its spending habits and its willingness to give up high draft picks as compensation.

Washington Post columnist Thomas Boswell speculated last March that the same thing could happen to Harper next winter.

Boswell wrote, "The 10-year, $400 million Bryce Harper contract that everybody has been speculating about for years — that's dead. Over the next year, we will find out just how deeply it's buried under the rubble of MLB's collapsing free agent salary structure.

"Is his new price more like $300 million for eight years or perhaps $250 million, if he’s lucky, for seven years?”

If Harper’s price drops to $250 million for eight, which is an average of $31.2 million per, or perhaps even lower, would the Yankees think about spending big to add another superstar slugger to a lineup that already is the most feared in baseball?

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Rick Scuteri | AP

What Harper's saying

Not surprisingly, Harper has refused to talk about his future and it’ll probably stay that way until the Nationals’ season is over.

In his first spring training interview on Feb. 19, Harper stated, "I will not be discussing anything relative to 2019 at all. If you guys have any questions about 2019 or anything after 2018, call Scott (Boras) and he can answer for you guys. I'm not going to answer any questions.

“If you guys do ask anything about that, I’ll be walking right out the door.”

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Jennifer Stewart | Getty Images

Not a fan of New York City

Harper was willing to talk about his future last July when he was in Miami for the All-Star and, surprisingly, he told NJ Advance Media that he can't wait to leave New York City when in town for Nationals games against the Mets or Yankees.

"Going to New York City for a couple days ... I want to get out of there in about three days,” Harper said. “You go there for three days, it's pretty crazy and hectic and I want to go back home. I want to go back home to DC. There's nothing like (DC)."

That makes you think Harper wants to stay in DC, and the Nats are among the early favorites to have him under contract next season along with the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.

And for all the people who think Harper would be great in Yankee Stadium because of right field, he said, “I hit the ball to left field a lot and Yankee Stadium is pretty big in left field.”

Remember, this stuff was said before the Yankees traded for Giancarlo Stanton.

Sounds like Harper doesn’t want to be a Yankee, huh?

Of course, if the Yankees offer the most money next December or January, playing for a New York team may be more appealing.

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Nick Wass | AP

Why the Yankees would pass

Duh! They’re better off saving their money to add another frontline starter.

The Yankees certainly could use a Clayton Kershaw-type more than teaming Harper with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez, right?

And if they can’t find a Kershaw next winter on the free agent market – he can opt out of his Dodgers deal – then you can argue they’d be better off trying to trade for another ace during the offseason or waiting until the following year to spend big on pitching.

Also, you could argue the Harper isn't worth megabucks. Yes, he's a great player, but he's never had a 100-RBI season and he's a career .211 hitter in 19 postseason games as a leader of Nationals clubs that have been perennial October disappointments.

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Rick Scuteri | AP

Why Harper would interest Yankees

The Yankees want to win a bunch more World Series, so why not make their lineup as great as possible?

And, let's face it, Harper, who has one of the best left-handed swings in the game plus a lot of power, would be lethal taking aim at the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium 81 times a year.

Also, like Aaron Judge, Harper would be a huge fan draw that would help keep the ballpark close to full or sold out on most nights.

The Yankees, by the way, could free up a position for Harper next winter by parting ways with left fielder Brett Gardner, who only has a club option remaining on his contract.

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See if Yankees stars have been overpaid or underpaid

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Rick Scuteri | AP

Yankees lineup with Harper

Just for the fun of it, here’s what a Yankees lineup could look like in 2019 with Harper in the mix:

1. Gleyber Torres, 2B: 2. Aaron Judge, RF; 3. Bryce Harper, LF; 4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH; 5. Didi Gregoirus, SS; 6. Gary Sanchez, C; 7. Greg Bird, 1B; 8. Miguel Andujar, 3B; 9. Aaron Hicks, CF.

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Jennifer Stewart | Getty Images

How Harper is doing

Harper is batting a career-low .236 in 41 games, but his 13 homers are tied with Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies for the NL lead and he’s tied for sixth with 30 RBIs.

Harper was 3 for 9 with a double and homer in his last two games playing against Arizona, but he’s hit just .186 (16 for 86) with five homers in 24 games since April 17.

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Randy Miller | NJ Advance Media

Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.