Yankees Rumors: Brian Cashman all but rules out Bryce Harper

Yankees general manager, Brian Cashman recently told reporters at the Winter Meetings that his outfield is already crowded and that Bryce Harper playing first base isn’t realistic.

Well, there you have it, folks. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters at the Winter Meetings that the Yankees will NOT be pursuing 26-year-old Bryce Harper, even after a Yankee official met with Bryce Harper.

The reason why the Yanks won‘t pursue Bryce? Cashman said the Yanks already have six outfielders and that Harper playing first base isn’t realistic. The six outfielders that Cashman is referring to is Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Clint Frazier, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks.

First base is currently occupied by Greg Bird and Luke Voit, although we haven’t seen a productive Bird in quite some time.

I don’t know about you all, but I wouldn’t consider Jacoby Ellsbury as someone that should stop the Yanks from pursuing Harper. Even still, Harper would be a massive upgrade in left field over Brett Gardner. I’m sorry, Brett Gardner fans, but it is true.

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• Gardner’s career statistics: .261 BA, .344 OBP with 96 HRs and 450 RBIs.
• Harper’s career stats: .279 BA, .388 OBP with 184 HRs and 521 RBIs.
• Ellsbury’s career stats: .284 BA, .342 OBP with 104 HRS and 512 RBIs.

Ellsbury’s statistics are stellar; however, he’s gone downhill ever since the Yankees signed him during the 2013 offseason for a seven-year and $153 million contract. If the Yanks are hoping to trade him, Ellsbury would need to waive his no-trade clause. At least the club has an option in 2021 to buyout his contract for $5M.

The only factor that I despise about Harper is his massive ego, but he seems to be changing that around as he matures. In the end, though, it doesn’t look like any of this matters, as Cashman made it pretty clear that the Yankees’ will NOT be pursuing Bryce Harper.

Unless this is a ploy by Cashman and company, as to not drive up Harper’s price, one would surmise that Cash’s comments sounded sincere.

According to Brendan Kutty of NJ.com, Brian Cashman stated:

"“We don’t have an (infinite) amount of dollars to be playing with, in any marketplace,” Cashman said. “So I think if you want to ask about something that fits more.”“At no time have I said I’m looking for an outfielder,” Cashman said of Harper, whom his agent, Scott Boras, has also pitched as a possible first baseman."