Bleeding Yankee Blue: COULD BRYCE HARPER LAND IN THE BRONX?

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

COULD BRYCE HARPER LAND IN THE BRONX?

I have spent the last couple days in cactus country, specifically home of the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe, AZ. I am here one week shy of the start of pitchers and catchers in the heart of the Cactus League which host 15 MLB teams. The chatter around town is similar to what you are reading online and in the tabloids. Could Bryce Harper land in the Bronx? Interestingly enough, maybe.

While surrounded by cacti and palm trees collectively, I have had time to soak in the atmosphere of west coast baseball, and reflect on the more recent resurgence of Bryce Harper's possible appearance in pinstripes this season. Harper calls Las Vegas his home and in this part of the country, where deserts and mountains are plentiful, the whispers of him actualizing his dream to play in New York could come true.

Source: SNY

"Asked by TMZ Sports in a brief red-carpet interview this week, (Aaron) Judge said any time a team can add a player of Harper's caliber, it "is going to make them better." Harper, 26, is a six-time All-Star and former National League MVP for the Washington Nationals," reports ESPN. Harper gives the Yankees some additional options in the outfield and perhaps a full-time slot for Giancarlo Stanton at DH, a position held mostly by him last year except for his 37 games in the outfield.

Source: USA Today

The resurgence of Harper to the Yankees comes on the heels of what the New York Post is reporting regarding another Yankee hopeful. "Nolan Arenado’s progress on a multi-year extension with the Rockies, which would remove him from next offseason’s free-agent market if the deal gets completed, should remind the Yankees that a good plan today trumps a perfect plan for 270 tomorrows from now. And a good plan today starts with Bryce Harper." The Post suggests that Harper could round off a righty dominant lineup with is left-handed bat.

Harper could platoon with Judge out in left, head to center or be designated to left field with Clint Frazier and Jacoby Ellsbury waiting in the wings. Let's not forget that veteran outfielder Brett Gardner is also around, making this Byrce Harper trade seriously ridiculous when you stack all of this together.

"Obviously [Harper] is a great player. But I think our team is pretty much set," Boone said. "Obviously things happen that force Brian and his staff to pivot on certain things. But I think it's safe to assume that we're going to spring training with the team that we expect to have," reports ESPN.

Could Bryce Harper land in the Bronx? Sure. Is it likely, not really. The Yankees may have one more move up their sleeve and this move has to be a pitcher. Breathe in and breathe out Yankee fans; that has been my mantra this off season and particularly while I am surrounded by cacti and palms just under a week before pitchers and catchers. Looking forward to the start of the 2019 baseball season- we're in the home stretch, finally!