Agent Scott Boras told Michael Kay and Don La Greca of 98.7 FM ESPN New York earlier this week that Nationals outfielder and pending free agent Bryce Harper has already picked his team for 2019, which drew plenty of attention on social media Sunday. “We know who the team is. It’s already completed and done, but Bryce has told me that he wanted to tell you personally,” Boras said (video via the YES Network). However, if you’re of the belief Boras was being facetious, you’re correct. Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports (Twitter links) that Boras was indeed joking. Anything else would’ve been a major surprise, as the 26-year-old Harper won’t even be allowed to discuss money with anyone but the Nationals until five days after the end of the World Series. Whether Harper ultimately re-signs with the Nats or heads elsewhere during the coming months, there’s no doubt he’ll land one of the richest contracts in baseball history.
Here’s more on a couple other players who are on the brink of reaching the open market:
- Outfielder Andrew McCutchen was highly productive for the Yankees after they acquired him from San Francisco in August, but it doesn’t appear he’ll return to the Bronx next season. The Yankees aren’t expected to re-sign McCutchen, per George A. King III of the New York Post. Even without McCutchen, New York would still have several other high-profile outfielders in Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, Clint Frazier and Jacoby Ellsbury. The Bombers could also pursue Harper, and they’ll have to make a decision on Brett Gardner’s $12.5MM club option.
- With left-hander Derek Holland hoping to return to the Giants in 2019, it “could make a lot of sense” for the club to offer him a two-year contract, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports California writes. Holland was unable to secure a guaranteed contract last winter, when the Giants inked him to a minors deal in a move that worked out beautifully for the team. The 32-year-old Holland ended up pitching to a 3.57 ERA/3.87 FIP across a San Francisco-leading 171 1/3 innings, likely setting himself up for a better payday than the $2MM he raked in this season.
xabial
Harper to the Yankees. Calling it right now. Send a message to your rivals who just became 2018 WS Champs.
tigerd7335
Where would he play they don’t have a spot for him and I heard they want Machado I thinks it’s a west coast team
xabial
$240M question… (Amount of money left; owed by Yankees, on his contract) It’s going to be an interesting off-season.
MetsYankeesRedSox
After this series antics, I’d say Machado value is down.
lovethatdirtyh20
MetsyanksSox….. Machado is more rep than substance. He sucked in the World Series and playoffs. Outside of being a puck and stepping on feet he did nothing.
Fittingly he went down like a meek little lamb for the final out. As long as the Red Sox don’t sign him, I’m good.
thetruth 2
1B or they trade Stanton to LAD, his dream team.
southbeachbully
Harper could fit nicely in LF. Yanks need a power bat from the left side and Ellsbury nor Frazier should prevent them from doing that.
dust44
Stanton, Judge and Harper Corner OF and DH rotation. Not hard to imagine it working at all
Jonathan Valencia
Ok….but can he pitch? We have more than enough hitters! Stanton was a huge mistake! JD was the player I wanted but Yankees love the big names.
dobsonel
He put up extremely respectable numbers on a down year. Wouldn’t call that a mistake since he will be $10 mil cheaper that Harper and Machado (in tax $ implications). I agree JD is crazy amazing though.
thetruth 2
JD would’ve been worse. He had an abnormally high BABIP fueled year.
Melchez
JD had a high BABIP… they said the same thing about Ty Cobb and babe ruth. Good hitters tend to have high BABIP.
deweybelongsinthehall
Anyone watching the games this year understands JDM simply can hit.
southbeachbully
We don’t have enough lefty hitters. Hicks, Didi and Gardner. I think Bird will be in AAA and his bat is no guarantee,
southbeachbully
Stanton was not a “huge” mistake. It’s 1 freakin’ year. Stop acting like the money comes out of your pocket or that his contract is going to make the Yankees think twice about who they will approach this winter. Please understand that the Yanks have forecast payroll for the next 5 years and I’m sure they took that into account before they traded for Stanton. Geez…a buy hits dang near 40 homers and 100 rbi and we want to run him out of town.
greatd
Aren’t the Yankees gonna be in on Corbin as well?
Melchez
Yankee fans believe they will sign every top free agent.
Jonathan Valencia
Let me explain why he’s a mistake. Is he a good talent? Sure. But! We didn’t learn from the stupid Alex “aroid” Rodriguez deal. I hate 10 year deals! No team should sign any player for that long, it’s just reckless and stupid. He’ll be good for the first 5 years and after that he will be like Alex and just be a liability but we’ll have to play him because of the contract.
xabial
Holy recency bias. Arod’s first 10 year deal was worth it more than the 2nd — And even then if Harper’s “first 5 years” pass with no opt out, Harper STILL be younger than Arod, when he signed 10 yr 275M ur traumatized of. (Which btw, could argue isn’t as bad as u making it out to be cuz 2009 would not be possible w/o Alex
xabial
I repeat: Bryce is entering his age-26 season. ARod was 32, time he signed that 10 yr $275M
Both players dont even play the same position.
sheff86
Exactly. He was far from a mistake and more than once carried the team while Judge was out and did it on a bad leg.
That guy is money.
Stanton/Hicks/Judge/Harper/Gardiner
Miggy/Didi/Torreyes/Bird/Voit/Glyber/Walker
12 position players
13 pitchers
Don’t forget Murphy
And I’d put a young package together for young starting pitching
I still think Harper at 1B and go get the best 1B glove in the business for D
southbeachbully
What’s stopping them from doing both? Yanks have a bunch of starters still in their pre-arbitration years (Judge, Sanchez, Andujar, Torres, Voit and Green and a few entering their 1st year of arbitration (including Severino) and two in their last year (Hicks, Didi and Betances). They have about $50 mil coming off the books from 2018 and in the next 2 years they will be done with Tanaka and Ellsbury. They can afford to sign Harper, Corbin and one other starter and still might be below the lux tax in 2019 or not over it by much.
dirty_english
Agreed. Sure he had a slump late on but with the pressure coming to NY, he did just fine
yanks02026
You do know Stanton has better career numbers than JD.
The Yankees also have TONS of money to sign Harper and pitchers.
greatdaysport
The rivals won the World Series when they beat Houston. The Dodgers were only the best of the National league. I’m surprised they even lost one game to them. Congrats sox
tbirdfrank
Took them 18 innings to get one game.. barely.
metfan3324
heard hes going to sign a 1 year deal with thr mets. so they can pay him 5 million a year for the rest of his life. They couldnt reach a 2 year agreement.
Perksy
I would take Harper if we can trade Stanton to LA for a pitcher.
xabial
The beauty of his contract is not the money left; (that’s the ugly side, contrary to the Miami fans who think his deal is reasonable; it’s the cap hit. If Yankees cover some $$$, Stanton’s AAV luxury tax, would be even lower than 22M for acquiring team.
sheff86
There is nothing they have a use for in LA. Bellinger or Seager. But no one that pitches.
agentx
Yeah, if only the Dodgers had any pitching prospects. /s
14thor
The Dodgers had only mild interest in Stanton when he was made available by the Marlins. Why do you think they’d want him now? And that was before Max Muncy came out of nowhere.
xabial
Dodgers got under the luxury tax and reset the penalties. It created more flexibility, whether they want to sign big name FA / trade for him. Everyone knows tax situation was the biggest reason LA couldnt fit him / trade for him.
14thor
Yes, the Dodgers did reset the luxury penalty. And I highly doubt that was with Stanton in mind. They have been anticipating Kershaw exercising his opt-out clause. They are likely more focused on their pitching rather than a defensive limited bat. An outfield of Pederson, Bellinger, Puig and Muncy at first is capable of mashing and handling the field. But losing Kershaw and Ryu would be difficult to create a strong rotation for a deep playoff run.
opranger
I wouldn’t sign either, go with the young guns I’m the minors and spend the extra money on Harper!
southbeachbully
A Kershaw extension would probably be at the same annual salary, maybe be even lower. In other words, if they sign him to an extension it’s going to be at the same avg annual salary as it was in 2018.
Balk
Bahahaha
Marc (Phillies Phan)
Dude, I try to give you thumbs up. I would be SHOCKED if he is a Yankee. There are too many reasons why it won’t make sense unless Cashman sheds more payroll, moves an outfielder or DH, or simply does little else. I just don’t see it. I think they have issues to address (starting pitching) and they will sign 1 or 2 larger names there.
xabial
Thanks buddy.^^
For what it’s worth, see Phills’ as the biggest threats
Marc (Phillies Phan)
I don’t know I want him or Machado. But it may just be an attitude thing with Machado. Harper is way too streaky. But I will keep an open mind.
twentyforty
Wrong. He will be in RF in Chicago next to CF Jason Heyward.
c1234
I don’t think the Cubs would want to risk another giant waisted contract.
biasisrelitive
Look at their $$$ situation. Also they don’t need more outfield clutter. No chance he gose there
hohnav21
To be honest They don’t need him. Starting Pitching should be there top priority. I hope not
Phanatic 2022
Is Harper 30-40% better than Stanton. Why pay that type of premium if it means we are trading Stanton. You want to send a message to the Red Sox. Save the cash and give it to Chris sale next year.
woodstock005
Harper abs machado to the giants
And Clayton will join mad bum
World Series champ
Hehehehe
Balk
I agree….Giants are all in with these two stars. Backload the contract and we’re in business.
Palmerpark
Your out of your mind Balk.
Bocephus
The first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem.
CardsNation5
Don’t sleep on the Cardinals. Mo has shown that they’re willing to spend on a special player. It’s not their fault that the player chose to go elsewhere and I think that Matheny being the manager was a big reason. The Cardinals were the 3rd youngest team in baseball last year and if Harper signed, not only will he be the face of the franchise, he would also be able to grow with his would be teammates. The Cardinals are loaded with young pitching prospects and the ones that came up this past season are good and will only get better. They have pretty good position playing prospects too. Let’s see what happens.
STL-NYC
I think this is a serious thought
petrie000
Harper likes to have fun, though, so that pretty much rules out STL…
Bocephus
Are you talking about on the field, or off?
petrie000
either/or, really… i’ve been to STL…
Bryzzo2016
Right, he would actually want to play for the Cards. This isn’t a Fowler situation, where STL severely outbid Toronto for his services. Harper will have plenty of options, he’ll get the money he wants AND the team he wants.
MetsYankeesRedSox
Was hoping for Price to get MVP but it’s all good.
xabial
Though I respectfully disagree… Just wanted to share:
“Price is the first pitcher to ever win both the League Championship Series clinching game and World Series clinching game while opposing former Cy Young award winners. (Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw)”
In what world!! Who would have thought!!
lovethatdirtyh20
Xab, Price exercised his post season demons. Great performance where he wanted the ball on three days rest, got it and walked the talk.
Now if he opts out Boston really wins. .
wiggysf
Wow, what a workout! Those demons sure got exercised!
Sorry if I seem agressive, I completely agree with the post
lovethatdirtyh20
Thanks Wiggy
deweybelongsinthehall
Personally, I thought they should have had three Co-MVPs with the car being donated to a charity. Eovaldi, Price and Pierce were equally deserving in my book. To a lesser extent, Kelly who was near flawless. Considering how hard many especially me have been on Kelly, figuratively speaking, I today tip my hat to him.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
Had it been within the rules, I’d have loved to have seen Cora as MVP. His managing was superb in the series. I understand, a manager is only as good as his players’ performances, but he put the right people in the right place to succeed at the right times. He managed around the only flaw Boston had, that being the bullpen.
lovethatdirtyh20
dewey, I’m with you. All three were deserving. On my site I bashed Kelly almost every time he pitched. I won’t miss him but man did he ever go out on a high note. Where the heIl was that all year? I could have fell in love
Papabueno
I’m a die-hard Nats fan. Been watching Harper for seven years, and I don’t get the hype and talk of a big contract. He’s had one great season. For his career? .279 and averages 24 HR and 75 RBI? Inconsistent and injury prone. He’s a defensive liability in the OF. He isn’t worth half of what he and Boras are going to ask.
I hope he signs anywhere outside of DC!!
MetsYankeesRedSox
I couldn’t have asked for a better finish to a World Series… Manny Machado striking out! This guy is a chump!
You don’t need stats to see that.
lovethatdirtyh20
MetsYanksSox
Machado was the easiest last out in World Series history. Just another punk. But he did showboat a double into a single.
woodstock005
Now how the hell anyteam give machado a supermax contract???
machado bad example for kids
MetsYankeesRedSox
H2O…he showboated the possible double…..twice thought he had a walk and tossed the bat…..blowing a bubble while running down to first. I’m sure there is more…yes, a poor example to kids. The baseball God’s we’re watching the series and set it up so Machado made the last out ..on his knee!
lovethatdirtyh20
Wood, you nailed it. Machado may have cost himself a bundle with his “I don’t hustle” speel.
lovethatdirtyh20
Mets, karma was sweet for the last out. Sale made MM looked silly.
jdgoat
Ok just ignoring the fact that his “down” seasons are still all star worthy, which one of 2015 and 2017 would you not consider “great”? He literally ops’ed over 1.000 in both of those seasons.
dimitrios in la
JD, the over 1.000 is only part of the reason you’d consider signing someone to the contracts that they’re each seeking.
Papabueno
2017? When he was injured again and missed 1/3 of the season? Even if you want to say he had two great seasons, out of seven? It would still be a bad business decision for the Nats to tie up that much money in Harper, when they so many other areas of need. Harper isn’t consistently great. You can’t just throw out the fact that he sucked this year.
jdgoat
except he didn’t suck this year. There’s no stats that backup your opinion. He had a ops plus of 133! That would be most above average players career best seasons. I’ll agree that I don’t think tying up that much money for so long is going to turn out that well. But you’re somehow underrating Harper by a long shot.
Priggs89
You don’t understand actual business decisions if you think the Nats signing Harper to a long term deal would be a bad business decision. You could argue it’d be a bad baseball decision (likely wrong as well), but on the business side, I can all but guarantee he brings in more revenue for his team than just about any other player in baseball. Despite how much you dislike him, he’s a 26 year old superstar.
downsr30
People always forget – you aren’t paying someone for what they’ve done – you’re paying them for what you believe they CAN do. I’m sure the Indians are thrilled they invested in Jose Ramirez for what they believed he could do when they signed him to a team friendly deal, but I’m sure he’s kicking himself for accepting that deal. What Harper has done to this point wont help his future team on the field. It’s all about what he’s going to do.
start_wearing_purple
The thing is he’ll have 2 major sticking points that you can bet Boras will drive home: 1) Harper is only 26 and the traditional fall off starts around ages 33-35, he’s still someone you can potential build a franchise around.
2) His overall numbers were not great last season but his second half numbers were much better.
Yeah I wouldn’t want him on the Sox for his price tag… but Boras will likely easily sign Harper to one of the most lucrative contracts ever.
agentx
I believe Papabueno is overstating things but do think Harper is very good but not quite the generational talent he’s made out to be.
Arenado to me will be just as valuable if it not more should he and COL part ways next offseason, and not even Nolan strikes me as a $300MM player.
southbeachbully
I’m all about “consistent production” vs “potential” so I’ve always felt neither Manny nor Harper would come anywhere close to $400 mil. Both have had sporadic greatness thus far. I think they fall in the $30 to $35 mil category. I will say this tho. Harper’s floor is probably right about where Arenado’s ceiling is, at least offensively. In a BAD year Harper still posted a near 70 xbh and 130 walks.
agentx
All good points, southbeachbully.
I’d take Arenado’s glove-bat combo over Harper’s for the medium to long term but also realize that Nolan may not swing as mighty a bat outside Coors.
tharrie0820
Take a look at Machado and tell me how that’s not consistent? Out of his 7 years Machado has failed to reach 5 war 3 times. one was his rookie year when he only played 51 games, and another one he only played 82 games. If that’s not considered consistent, I don’t know what the words means anymore
Priggs89
I don’t think you know what the word means.
twentyforty
Nice try at rationalization. Good luck with whomever replaces him in RF.
lovethatdirtyh20
Papa, he will be the face of the franchise somewhere. Good post.
Mega talent who seems fragile. He can hit the ball a mile. Seems like a hard nosed player. I wouldn’t want him for the next 10 years at big money
campos101214
He’s was spotted in San Fran.
Balk
Harper loves San Francisco. Won’t surprise me a bit if he signs there.
The Oregonian
He probably wants to go somewhere more competitive than the Nats though, he called them a AAA team this year himself. Cubs/Phillies/Yankees.
Balk
Yanks would have to move a couple players to open room for Harper. Philadelphia will be big spenders, and I doubt Cubs can afford him unless he gives a discount, plus Harper has stated he would like to be closer to home. I also think Dodgers are big contenders.
Slevin
I’ve never heard or read that Harper “stated he would like to be closer to home”. Where exactly did you get that from?
MetsYankeesRedSox
EY told him
Cubguy13
You doubt Cubs can afford him? lol! Not only can the Cubs afford him, but with their billion dollar tv deal coming up, they can afford Harper and Machado if they really wanted.
southbeachbully
Who would those “couple of players” be? Ellsbury or Frazier? There’s no long-term hindrances for the Yanks to get anybody.
Bocephus
lofl..The NY Giants stand a better chance of signing Harper than the SF Giants.
Balk
Like I said there cubbie guy, I doubt the cubs can afford another risk after all the bad contracts that team spent last year just on pitching alone Bahahaha
Balk
Why, they don’t have the right color money Bocephus? Is everyone forgetting how deep the pocket books are for the Giants? Bahahaha
Bocephus
That money was the same color last offseason, but Stanton said N-O. In response to Cubguy13’s reply, not only do the Cubs have the money, but are a viable contender. Sorry Balk, but it ain’t 2012. Bahahaha
SaberSmuckers
Obsess much?
Psycho.
jdgoat
Ah yes, I guess balk forgot that Stanton and Harper share the same brain.
And Stanton was already getting paid. If the Giants offer 20 million more than the next team, Harper is going to the bay.
Bocephus
Most winners do. Besides money why in the world would he go to SF?
jdgoat
I don’t know. Large market, willingness to spend. But it’s all going to come down to money anyways. To act like there is no chance he ends up there is premature.
twentyforty
Cubs can’t afford him? Dumbest thing I’ve read in print as the Cubs print money just like NY and Boston.
CardsNation5
Right! I don’t see him signing with The Old Age Outlaws
ncaachampillini
The Giants run is over dude sorry. Had a killer 3 outta 5 titles stretch there but that ship has sailed. The big boys aren’t going to the Bay. And in what world is “bahahaha” a laugh? Are you trying to spell out a Dracula laugh? Ain’t close.
MetsYankeesRedSox
Everyone knows it starts out Muhahahaha.
Balk
I’m glad you’re not in control of any ball club. Your way of thinking is for the birds. You make no sense. That Giants ball club you’re talking about has three rings in the past 9 years. Add some starting rotation in there with a big bat and they can contend. I think you’re just a hater and a troll. Make some good theory at least. If Harper wants money, the Giants have way more then the cubs and Philli all day. Yanks need pitching. Not another big bat.
Balk
To win rings, multiple rings. They know how to do that. Do you? Who did you play for? Bahahaha
Balk
Ncaachampillini just because they haven’t contended for the past two years that means they can’t buy and trade to get better like everyone else? How do you think ball clubs win? The Giants will be all over talent THEY see that would be a good fit. Period.
biasisrelitive
Not with their payroll the way it is right now
billysbballz
Yanks are not reading Stanton. If they were there is only one team they could possibly trade him too and that’s LA! If that happened then I can see Harper left handed bat in Yankee Stadium otherwise Stanton will be a 10 year DH clogging up a spot that should be used to move guys in and out to get rest.
lovethatdirtyh20
Dats a bingo Billysballz
jekporkins
Dodgers or Cubs. Probably Dodgers.
dimitrios in la
How does an outfield of Stanton, Judge and Harper even work? That’s often your defensive alignment? In five years?
southbeachbully
It won’t have to because Stanton will most likely DH and Harper will be in LF. We have Hicks under contract for 2019. Why would you make an issue like that? Do you not follow the team? Even if Hicks isn’t brought back after 2019 the Yanks will make sure they find someone for CF even if it’s a glove first kind of guy.
CardsNation5
The Yankees need pitching more than anything else.
jmi1950
Harper won’t sign until Feb. and the Yanks won’t wait. Phil, Cubs, SF or Hou are my best guess.
With the Sox winning the WS, NY will need to make a big early splash.
For NYY they will sign Machado, Corbin and CC. To open up the roster spots (and $$$$) they will trade Gray, non-tender Didi, & decline Gardner’s option.
merizobeach
“non-tender Didi” Are you senile, old man? In any case, you’ve just humiliated yourself. Good show!
biasisrelitive
If he’s out all of 2019 and a free agent soon after it may be something to consider
thecoffinnail
Did you not hear that he will be on the DL for almost all of the year? Non tendering him would be the best move they can make since he will be a free agent after next year. They can always resign him and add a couple of his free agent seasons to the deal.
DuffManCometh
Harper is either signing with the White Sox or the Giants. Both teams are desperate enough to push his value north of $500 million.
skip 2
Lmfao
Bryzzo2016
Haha… the White Sox?!?!?
MetsYankeesRedSox
Has Dave Roberts been fired yet?
I’m sure the Dodgers have their version of EY calling for his head .
josebatista89
Joe Griardi makes a lot of sense for both the Dodgers and Cubs. First thing im doing.im getting rid of Honeycutt
lowtalker1
Getting rid of Honeycutt is a huge mistake. Getting rid of Roberts is the smartest move that could do.
They could also you know, find a better center fielder then joc because they got their first baseman running around center.
Ironman_4life
Their first baseman is a better centerfielder than Joc.
Slevin
She’s too busy showing Harper around San Francisco.
Cat Mando
I wonder if the BoSox will vote Roberts a share of the WS $$.
BTW MetsYankeesRedSox, it seems that woman is living in your head rent free, as often as you mention her.
MetsYankeesRedSox
Eric Young? 😉
Cat Mando
nope…Esmeralda Yamamoto
josebatista89
I think its between the Cubs, Phillies, or Nationals. The Yankees make NO sense. If your the Dodgers it would be a salary dump. Meaning you offer Rich Hill, and another contract for Stanton. Im not giving away Walker Buhler for a feast to fathom hitter. He is another version of Adam Dunn but more athletic and somewhat can play the field.
jorge78
Harper will be the new Heyward.
Book it…..
of9376
I thought the exact same thing as I read this article. The only thing I can say is that Heyward is a better defender but I wouldn’t want either of them
twentyforty
Every free agent is a “Heyward” you fool. The market is inefficient…overpaying for past production. But that’s business. And yes his paycheck outdoes his baseball card numbers but the Cubs are just fine with Heyward you rube.
jekporkins
Twenty, in most cases you do pay for past production. However, in this specific case, you’re paying for potential. He’s 26 years old and just now entering his prime and you’re expecting him to perform at a higher level over the next couple of years. For that comment, it is you that is the rube.
The Cubs are fine with Heyward? You’re a double-rube. you don’t think they would love to ditch that contract or even trade him and pay a third just to get him off their roster?
RunDMC
I can’t stand Heyward, but he at least was/is consistent defensively. That being said, there’s no comparison between Heyward’s ceiling and Harper’s ceiling. I’d say it’s a closer comparison for Harper’s floor and Heyward’s ceiling at this point (Heyward’s SB/OBP trending down; power non-existant).
rbachman22
Yanks sign Harper as there LF and lefty bat and trade there other Boras client Ellsbury in salary dump exchange with Diamondbacks for Zack Greinke.
Yanks then sign Corbin and resign CC. Starters: Severino, Greinke, Corbin, Tanaka & CC.
Then bring back Echievera to stopgap SS until Didi gets back.
As for bullpen. Britton’s gone and probably Robertson so Yanks sign Rockies Ottavino and Trade Gray, Adams and another prospect to Reds for there closer Iglesias.
And Yanks bring back Gardy as 4th OF as a FA.
jmi1950
Ellsbury’s contract is TOXIC. He had four different injuries that kept him on the DL all year. He will now have to be activated off the 60 day and take up a spot on the 40 man roster costing a rule 5 exposure.
rbachman22
For the Diamondbacks, Greinke’s contract is even more toxic. They can’t do a rebuild with his salary on the books. His contract has 3 years to go. Ellsbury’s now is only 2 yrs and it’s less money. And if he gets injured again, Arizona gets most of the money back via insurance.
petrie000
Greinke is still somewhat useful on the baseball field, so why would the Dbacks move him for DL filler?
biasisrelitive
Greinke is still productive and close to being worth the$$ eilsberry is not remotely close to being worth his contract
The Oregonian
An Ellsbury and Greinke swap? One is still productive, the other is not, period
its_happening
It would make more sense to swap Stanton and Greinke, and after Goldschmidt leaves they move Stanton to 1B. But I don’t see any of that ever happening.
lovethatdirtyh20
Rbach and then you woke up
opranger
You’re dreamin! Maybe wet dreamin?
astrosfan
Welcome to Texas Harper. I can see Houston making a play for him. The Rangers will be a very very long shot to sign him. The Yanks are to logged jammed in the outfield plus he wants to win. I also see Boston making a run for him to. Let’s all hope this ain’t another Staton watch party like last off-season.
rbachman22
How are the Yanks log-jammed in the OF. They have Judge in RF and Hicks in CF and no starting LF (ie McCutchen and Gardner).
Stanton is the DH.
As for Harper wanting to win, the Yanks won 100 games this year. There knocking on the door.
its_happening
Judge, Hicks, Stanton, Frazier, Ellsbury. Logjam.
xabial
Frazier? Ellsbury? Seriously
At this point, you operate under assumption neither contributes, 2019. Neither stops them from signing Harper, if they really want him. All the NYY lux tax watch was for this moment
its_happening
^I didn’t assume anything. You did.
Ellsbury, in theory, absolutely stops the Yankees from signing Harper. Didi’s injury changes the focus on the Yankees offseason. For anyone to think Harper is the priority isn’t looking at the full picture for New York. They need a front line pitcher, no exceptions. An infielder to be a stopgap may be in the system, may not.
For all the dream signings on this site, the Yankees would be destroying any momentum they have built the last 3 years. Signing Harper on-top of the needs of this organization would be reckless.
GarryHarris
Even more precise, the Yankees need L-SPs, a LH hitting Supersub and a better defensive catcher.
thecoffinnail
^^^^^ This exactly
Annihilus
The Boston Red Sox just won the World Series. The Yankees coincidentally have been planning a spending spree for many years. After years of being conservative, getting to 20% with the luxury tax, and developing their youth, this team is going all out this off-season. I honestly think they sign Harper, Machado, and Corbin. CC, Britton, and Gardner gone. They will use their considerable trade chips to trade for DeGrom and a package of Greinke/Goldschmidt.
Line-up: Hicks, Judge, Machado, Harper, Stanton, Goldschmidt, Torres, Sanchez, and Didi(when healthy).
Starting 5: DeGrom, Severino, Tanaka, Corbin, and Greinke.
Balk
Anyone else? Bahahaha
andrewgauldin
I want whatever you’re smoking
MetsYankeesRedSox
Me too!
lovethatdirtyh20
Snow. That’s it? I think you’re in for a let down. LOL
petrie000
usually somebody makes a jokes here about putting down your playstation controller… but i don’t think this could happen even in a video game….
lowtalker1
Harper to Philly
66TheNumberOfTheBest
I have predicted Harper to PHI for two years. Sticking with it.
tbone0816
Harper to STL
steelerbravenation
Top 10 Offseason predictions
Harper to Giants
Manny to Yankees
Andujar traded to Cards in package for Martinez
Thor trades to Padres
Corbin to Yanks
Greinke traded to Braves
Ellsbury traded to Mariners
Kershaw ops out Dodgers let him walk & he signs with Rangers
DeGrom signs extension
Arrenado signs extension
Bocephus
L
jdgoat
Great discourse
Bocephus
Thanks Amigo
xabial
A for effort and I agree with you, on Corbin prediction.
Slevin
But what is the final grade you give him?
Mine grade is a F-. He started off failing on the Harper to the Giants, and it only got worse from there.
jdgoat
How is that a bad prediction? A team that might have the worst offence in the league who has a large payroll and openings in the outfield. But it’s crazy to suggest they’re going to be in on the best bat in FA?
And this is only one offseason after they tried to acquire Stanton, so it’s not exactly like they aren’t looking for a big bat or a bad contract.
Bocephus
No one is going to a team so in need of rebuild.
jdgoat
Again, money talks. If San Francisco dishes out the money, anybody will go there.
Balk
Are you an idiot? Have you ever seen the Giants go into a full rebuild? They are a top notch club with a lot more money then most! I think your just a band wagon Giants hater. Even people who don’t like the Giants but know baseball can even understand that a club like the Giants can pretty much afford whatever they want!
petrie000
Money talks, but money and the chance to win a title screams.
The Giants have 1 reliable pitcher, who’s not signed for terribly long, and a bunch of former champions who are now old and in decline
The Giants have to convince Harper to spend his prime years on a team that needs about half a dozen other players to be legit contenders… Or he can go sign with a team already younger and better for roughly the same money..
RunDMC
I just don’t understand the sense of some of these. Yes, some make sense, but there’s a lot of head-scratching. Why would LAD let Kershaw walk and why would he go TEX? If he wants to go home, I would expect HOU would be really the only opportunity to pry him away from LAD. I really don’t think COL is going to ink an extension with Arenado. He’ll try his hand at the free agent market and get a contract that many had Manny getting going into the 2018 season.
opranger
What ru smokin?
Balk
What you had to say is possible, may not happen all that way, but possible. I can even see Giants all over Corbin as well.
hoya33
Harper signs 10 year deal with Washington contract loaded with team and player options.
Machado signs a deal with Marlins.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Yankees fans always bristle when people say NYY buys championships.
Then they say stuff like, “Book it. The Yanks will sign Harper, Machado, Kershaw AND CORBIN because Cash is a GENIUS!!!!”
The Yankees can spend a trillion dollars on payroll but it won’t matter as long as the guy who was a mediocre TV analyst one year ago is the manager. Amazing the difference between the Alex Cora and Aaron Boone hirings.
Truthman
Still sore about that homerun
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Mazeroski’s?
billysbballz
What about the fact that the sawx bought this championship?
Thoughts on highest payroll?
The Boston Red Sawx new evil empire!
Palmerpark
Harper – Yanks will kick tires he has said he loves the Giants but he wants to win the Giants albeit old could turn it around if they stay healthy but they gambled on that last year and everybody is a year older, Belt hits his pillow and gets concussed, Panik can’t stay healthy, Crawford tanked at end, Bumgarner has thrown fewer innings last two years but doesn’t look as dominating as he was…. Harper to LA or Artie jumps in again and takes a younger guy instead of signing old guys to long contract.
Bocephus
Just because someone is asked how they feel about a city doesn’t mean anything. Did you expect him to say it was a crap hole?
Balk
Nobody asked him, HE blasted his feelings about San Francisco all over is social media, he wasn’t just questioned. If Harper is after money then San Francisco has as good of a chance as any club. They’ll be in on all good pitching also.
tbirdfrank
Took them 18 innings to get one game.. barely.
GrandpaBaseball
Yankees sign Machado, Philly to sign Harper, and Gienke is traded to Yankees with Goldy. Every team’s GM waiting with blank contract and pen in hand for Trouty next sesson and he signs with the Phillies. Phillies givre the aAngels a bunch of minor leagers who fail miserirby and attendance drops by 40 %. Gardener re signs with Yankees and Ellsbury sent packing.
merizobeach
Seems you forgot the part about grandpa being put out to pasture. Or has that already happened?
jekporkins
I’m a Giants fan and I don’t think Harper is coming here. He’s simply going to use SF as leverage to raise his contract dollars with whatever team he does sign with, because SF knows they will have to offer him more money because of that ballpark and the California tax implications.
imgman09
I agree 100% although I hear they are moving the fences in in RF?
merizobeach
Have you never seen AT&T park? The RF fence is part of the wall of the stadium. In other words, it’s not moving.
josebatista89
Bryce Harper has been ranting for about two years now. That he wants to play with Kris Bryant. The Yankees are already heavy right handed. Now some want to add another Right handed hitter in Bryce into the Yankee fold. Good pitching in the playoffs, ALWAYS SHUTS DOWN GOOD HITTING. They need a two soild starters. No it’s not CC. The two pitchers that the Yankees should go hard after is Corbin and id keep an eye out for Kechuel. Manny Machado is either staying put with the Dodgers or is going to the Phillies.
riffraff
Harper hits lefty which kinda destroys any credibility you thought you had
Bocephus
yea, wtf?
Priggs89
Except I’m pretty sure Bryce has never actually said anything about wanting to play with Bryant… He made 1 post on Instagram last year, and he admitted he was trolling the media… Unless you have any other evidence, I’m not so sure about this “ranting.”
statefarm44
As a Cubs fan I want Machado over Harper. Cubs OF is crowded enough.
Bryzzo2016
As a Cubs fan, I’m glad you’re not Theo Epstein.
petrie000
As a Cubs fan who’s actually been paying attention i have no idea why you think the Cubs need a 3b of all things, especially one who historically has OBP issues…
i know the popular fan theory is Bryant goes to left and Schwarber gets traded for something unrealistic, but replacing Schwarber’s bat with Machado’s isn’t nearly the upgrade of swapping Harper’s for either Heyward or Almoras
leprechaun
Machado is a punk he will never be a CUb
joew
Hey Cutch, Pirates need another Outfielder, at least for a while come on back and stay for a while 🙂
billysbballz
Funny the Sox decided to play NY NY after beating the Dodgers?
If anything it makes them appear as if they are still chasing tabs worrying about the Yankees! They had the 2nd highest payroll in baseball and not once was that mentioned. I think we have a new evil empire that should stop focusing on NY and embrace who they are!
baseballpun
Everybody outside Boston already knows that the Red Sox are just the Yankees now, but somehow more obnoxious.
billysbballz
Yanks are a very young team that are more then two moves away from being better then Houston and Boston.
Need pitching of course and an ace if available would help.
Need defense upgrades.
Need situational hitters.
Left handed bats.
Speed on bases.
That’s pretty much all they need!
They can address most of these very easily through free agency.
Daniel Murphy bat would be a start.
Pat Corbin left arm another no brainer.
MetsYankeesRedSox
Than …not then!
Slevin
Is it tropical inside ey’s cranium?
billysbballz
I always do that. Thanks for the correction.
moe 3
Harper would be a good fit with the cardinals and he would be treated like a king Unfortunately the cards are not likely to win a bidding war
leprechaun
Today’s players aren’t into that bullshit slogan the Cardinals Way. To many rules to confining he will never go that route
JKB 2
St. Louis is just not a place stars want to go to
juicemane
Harper signs with the Angels, making it all but certain that the ‘Sin City Angels’ is a real thing
Jimcarlo Slaton
How close are Harper and Kris Bryant? Do they get together every off season, do guy things together, stay in touch throughout the off season? Anyone know?
RunDMC
Better yet, how much are your childhood friendships worth? Would you say no to millions of dollars so you can go to a team to play a few years with a childhood friend? What if Bryant wanted to bolt – or if Harper’s deal makes it less likely they could afford a top-end deal with Bryant that isn’t team friendly?
I’m sure Bryce can be just like the rest of us and follow Kris Bryant on Facebook and like pics of his kids and try like hell to capture the fleeting memory of a friendship that was once strong.
Bryzzo2016
Their friendship is legit. Which by itself isn’t a big enough factor, but it helps I suppose. It’s a large market, their core is the same age as Harper, although young, they are proven champions. They have plenty of money to be able to afford him. They were in the NLCS 3 straight years, including winning a ring, but they are coming off a disappointing season by their own standards so they are motivated to get back on top. Having Harper there might also help when the Cubs attempt to re-sign Bryant in a few years. Those factors are more legit than the KB/Bryce friendship.
petrie000
there were twitter pictures during the season of of them and their wives having a ‘game night’, so they’re legitimately pretty tight
leprechaun
Yes extremely close they and other half’s go on Vacations together
srdiaz1972
Harper is going to the Dodgers.
leprechaun
Not a Cub fan but trust me it’s the Cubs and that deal is just about done.
WAR_OVERRATED
How many 100 rbi’s years? How many +150 games? How many 100 runs scores? How many +35 hr years? How many +100 strikeouts? Gold Glove? Teamplayer?
Dugout leader? Happy player? Charisma? OVERRATED 100% Compare him to Trout is irrelevant and irrational. Mike is in another league. Few players may have their best year after 27 years old. A $35-40 million player multiyear contract or one year? Noway. Owners should respect themselves and don’t alow reporters or agents manipulate or affect a team atmosphere.
yanks02026
Can people stop saying the Yankees should trade Stanton to LAD. That’s just stupid, Stanton had a good first year with the Yankees especially considering it’s his first time in the AL and facing a lot of new pitchers for the first time or small sample size.
Also please stop saying JD Martinez is better than Stanton. Stanton has better career numbers and is 2 years younger. Stanton could easily be MVP next year and JD back to his Astros day. Judge the players after more than 1 year.
to4
Judge LF, Hicks CF, Harper RF, Stanton DH.
Slevin
You don’t move a top three RF to LF..wth
YourDaddy
Career numbers
– .266/.357/.539/.896, 142 OPS+, 27.6 bWAR, 27.5 fWAR going into age 27 season
– 279/.388/.512/.900, 139 OPS+, 27.4 bWAR, 30.7 fWAR going into age 26 season
Pretty comparable careers. Which would you have given $300 + million to?