Harper, after squashing a three-run home run vs. the Red Sox on Monday night, went into play on August 19 with a ludicrous.367/.486/.700 slash line. Amongst certified players, nobody has a greater OPS this season. Harpers 219 OPS+ (adjusted for league and park averages) is the very best in the sport, and far much better than his 2015 NL MVP season. For context, Aaron Judge posted a 171 OPS+ in 2017 and Alex Rodriguezs best Yankees season (2007) included a 176 OPS+.
Lets get this out of the method: The Yankees do not need any one specific player in baseball.
Depth and waves of talent is what makes the franchise so great, and such a sustainable force. Include extraordinary resources enabling for the pursuit of a Gerrit Cole or opportunistic trade for a Giancarlo Stanton.
Every choice to pursue or not to pursue a big-name (and often expensive) star is a gamble by the Yankees. And the early returns on Bryce Harpers period with the Phillies recommend that Yankees general supervisor Brian Cashman slipped up not pursuing a gamer that when seemed destined for pinstripes in the Bronx.
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The Yankees, coming off a 100-win season in 2018 and ALCS journey in 2017, didnt even seem to entertain the idea of signing Harper. Its hard to view Harper and see what the Yankees didnt believe they required. Judges troubling injury history could force the Yankees to punt on a long-lasting offer with the hulking slugger. Clevelands Francisco Lindor might end up ending up being the very first $300M position gamer the Yankees cut a check for.
On the other hand Harper will likely keep doing his thing in Philadelphia, soar towards a 2nd NL MVP and post Jim Thome-ish career numbers on the course to Cooperstown. If the Yankees keep winning, few will second guess anything Cashman does or does not do. For as great as the Yankees are, your guess is as great as mine as to where theyll invest and who will make the bulk of the groups at-bats in left field, best field, first base and designated player for the next five-plus years. It might have been Harper, and it would have been the wise relocation for a franchise that seldom skips special left-handed sluggers.
For context, Aaron Judge published a 171 OPS+ in 2017 and Alex Rodriguezs best Yankees season (2007) included a 176 OPS+.
Rather of having foresight by signing Harper and auctioning off Judge for a cost-controlled starter (would the Mets have listened to a Judge for Jacob deGrom deal prior to the 2019 season?), the Yankees were danger averse at a time when taking a huge swing would have been the ideal thing do to.
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And he could have been a Yankees star. He might have constantly hoped for that result. Yet the Yankees, coming off a 100-win season in 2018 and ALCS trip in 2017, didnt even appear to entertain the idea of signing Harper. Manny Machado was the totally free representative the group feigned some interest in two winter seasons earlier.
On the surface area, it was affordable. The Yankees currently had Aaron Judge and Stanton. They were most likely looking into future complimentary agent classes and considering allocating cash towards Cole. The front office wished to avoid outrageous long-term deals that hindered financial versatility with aging, past-their-prime stars.
Stanton could opt-out after this season. Judges uncomfortable injury history could force the Yankees to punt on a long-lasting offer with the hulking slugger. Clevelands Francisco Lindor could wind up becoming the very first $300M position player the Yankees cut a check for.
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And yes Harper likely will not be this great all year. At age 27, Harper is approaching 225 house runs.
Harper has actually struck in 8 straight video games. No current Yankees can claim all those tasks.
Its tough to view Harper and see what the Yankees didnt believe they needed. He was even prepared to move to first base to accommodate the Yankees present roster, which could have continued a family tree of top-tier first baseman in the Bronx that covered from Don Mattingly to Tino Martinez to Jason Giambi to Mark Teixeira.
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