Yankees Rumors: Is Bryce Harper an option at first base?
By Alex DaSilva
Free agent Bryce Harper, has piqued the interest of all 30 MLB teams, but only a select few can afford the megastar. So far the Yankees interest level has fluctuated each day on whether to pursue Harper or not.
Of course, the thought of having Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper in the same lineup sounds great. A new “Murderers’ Row” would be immediately built. But the Yankees already have a power-packed lineup. So how could Harper fit in?
If the Yanks continue their aim toward the long ball, Harper is a perfect match.
Coming off a somewhat poor season, Harper still proved his ability to hit home runs. Averaging just over 26 home runs a season (which includes his rookie year; age 19), he still hit 34 longballs last year.
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Although those 34 home runs came with a .249/.393/.496 slash line, it’s still not a bad season.
An OBP near .400 is impressive when only .249 of that is from hits. It’s just a tad below what we, and Harper, expect out of the star slugger.
Also noteworthy, Harper is an MVP award winner. Back in 2015, the Nevada-native carried his Nationals to a second place finish in the National League East. With 42 HR and 118 R, Harper did it all. He hit for average (.330), took pitches (114 BB) and even flashed some leather in the outfield (9 DRS).
He’s good. He’s better than good; but as of now, the corner outfield spots are taken by Judge and Stanton, with center field held down by the switch-hitting Aaron Hicks. And Harper isn’t a great fit for center field, especially over the defensively gifted Aaron Hicks.
Of course, there is a DH spot which could be rotated between Harper, Judge and Stanton. But that takes away the Yanks’ ability to rotate a DH because of injuries and some older players who might need a breather from the field.
It also robs the Yankees of potentially playing first basemen Luke Voit and Greg Bird in the same game. In hopes of Bird gaining form and Voit continuing his impressive, but brief Yankee career.
There’s also a what if — as in what if the Yankees don’t trade the “slumping” Greg Bird?
However, there’s another option! Bryce Harper’s athleticism would allow the outfielder to play first base for an MLB team. At least that’s what his agent, Scott Boras thinks.
Boras has been boasting his client’s résumé, mentioning his versatility to play first base and “why signing Bryce Harper means signing a Hall of Famer.” However, Boras could just be boasting Harper to induce a bidding war over the ballplayer.
Boras is no stranger to mega-contracts. The former agent to Alex Rodriguez, Boras negotiated Rodriguez’s 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers back in 2000.
Then, Boras helped Rodriguez opt out of his contract early while with the Yankees, only to re-sign with the Yanks for another 10 years, $275 million — AND an extra $30 million for passing each of the top four career home run leaders.
Don’t forget Boras somehow convinced the Yankees to pay A-Rod $20 million to “retire” before the end of his contract.
But back to Harper playing first; it’s a possibility. With Harper able to play the outfield as well as first base, manager Aaron Boone could then rotate the starters between that DH spot and field positions with little ease.
Nevertheless, the Yankees lineup is crowded. Five outfielders looking for playing time, two first basemen fighting for the starting job, and a DH spot fought over by half the roster.
Something would have to change, somebody would undoubtedly be seeing their way out if Bryce Harper is signed by the Yankees, but he’s well worth it.
Fitting Harper into the Yankee lineup would vastly improve the team, even if improving the rotation should be the focus this offseason. Especially with Yankee Stadium’s short porch out in left field.
And if the looming idea that Harper and Boras are going to be demanding quite a large contract, at least the Yankees finally found a way under the luxury tax in 2018.