Bryce Harper further stokes Yankees' fire by doubling down on Aaron Judge comments

We're not saying the New York Yankees have a chance this month to correct a wrong that's haunted them since Giancarlo Stanton became a perma-DH. We're not saying they have a chance to do it this summer, either. We're just here to tell you to watch Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge in the World Baseball Classic extra closely.

Because, once again, after reporting to spring training and thumbing his nose at the way the Philadelphia Phillies organization has treated his aging curve (eg, NOT gracefully!), Harper's now working out with Team USA in Arizona. And he's doing that thing where he talks up Judgey again, sounding like he's fulfilling a lifelong goal by collaborating with the captain instead of competing against him.

A few weeks ago, Harper reported to camp and, in the same breath, said that Dave Dombrowski calling him "not elite" was "kinda wild," then talked up how excited he was to protect Judge at the World Baseball Classic. Now, upon reporting to camp (after addressing the "Not Elite" shirt once again), Harper used his Pat McAfee Show platform to talk up Judge's captain status and role as Team USA's Glue Guy.

Yankee fans are torn between wanting to dwell on it and forcibly ignoring it. Consider me "Team Dwell". It's way more fun that way, and it's how Harper clearly wants us to view the situation.

Bryce Harper's Phillies and Aaron Judge's Yankees could finally converge during World Baseball Classic

"The whole time" meaning "since Team USA rosters were announced"? Or "the whole time" meaning "since Judge's career began in 2017"?

Not putting Harper and Judge on the same side back in 2019 will always remain a generational Brian Cashman fumble, regardless of the Stanton Trade of it all. And, despite these repeated winks and nudges, it's an error that's unlikely to be corrected anytime soon; Harper loves Philadelphia, and trading him will represent the gutting of an era.

Coincidentally, though, both the Yankees and Phillies were stuck in a run-it-back malaise to open camp. The Yankees have seen significant strides from plenty of young players. Their plan might be coming together. The Phillies' biggest headlines have all been owned by Harper, whose $26 million AAV feels like more of a bargain than ever these days, and whose agitation may come to a boiling point if Rob Thomson's club swoons this summer.

Harper, a fan of the Yankees' 1990s dynasty, would be a flawless co-captain for Judge in the Bronx. It might be as a Paul Goldschmidt late-career grizzled veteran instead of an in-his-prime running mate, but ... it sort of feels fated, doesn't it? Watch the marriage in motion this week and beyond at the WBC. And see what sticks.