Bryce Harper is finally off the free agent market, and Brian Cashman admitted the New York Yankees were never in on him.
After the New York Yankees stated from the beginning of the offseason they were never in on Bryce Harper, some fans held out hope that it was just a negotiation trick.
Now Harper is in Philadelphia and we now know general manager Brian Cashman’s true intentions.
When to MLB.com’s Brian Hoch a day after the Harper introductory press conferences, Cashman was asked if New York was ever in on him was simple.
“No.”
Throughout the league, most felt Harper would be the perfect fit for New York considering they are without a left-handed bat in their lineup with Didi Gregorius out an extended period of time. The only other lefty is Greg Bird and the switch-hitting Aaron Hicks (should Bird win the starting first base job).
This made Harper an ideal fit in their right-handed heavy lineup.
But the Yankees have a crowded outfield as it is with the likes of Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton this year. Clint Frazier is knocking on the door to be an everyday player, along with Jacoby Ellsbury, whenever he can get healthy. It just never made sense giving Harper a deal.
Harper would go onto sign a 13-year, $330 million deal, providing him the largest contract in baseball history. It’s a deal which does not consist of any opt-outs meaning Harper will be a Phillie through his age 39 season, something the Yankees refused to do.
Thankfully Harper and Manny Machado are off the market and everyone can get back to focusing on the task at hand in preparing for the season. Cashman shares that very same sentiment, telling Hoch:
“We’re up and running with what we’ve got. We’re excited about what we’ve got. We’re hoping that’s enough, but always looking to improve over the course of time if it fits within certain parameters.”
Cashman is right when he says he’s “always looking to improve over the course of time.” If the Yankees are needing a piece to help put them over the hump, he will not hesitate to pull the trigger.
Opening Day is 25 days away. Thankfully, we’ll no longer have to hear the Harper/Machado/Yankees rumors anymore.
