MLB free agents: Nationals’ Bryce Harper to Yankees? Here’s an out-of-the-box way to make it happen

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will become a free agent after the 2018 MLB season. The Yankees are expected to make a run at Harper, who could get a $400 million contract. Here’s one way to work his bat into the lineup with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

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Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will become a free agent after the 2018 MLB season. He’s expected to get a contract which could reach or exceed $400 million.

The Yankees are one of several deep-pocketed teams expected to make a run at the crown jewel of the free agent class.

But some Yankees fans aren’t on board with that idea, since there is no open position Harper could fill.

Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton handle the corner outfield spots and share time at DH.

Aaron Hicks looks like the everyday center fielder. And don’t forget about Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Clint Frazier.

So where would Harper fit? How about first base? 

Greg Bird has been so shaky in the batter’s box that Neil Walker and Brandon Drury are sharing time at first.

According to the Washington Post, the Nationals have toyed with having Harper at first base this season:

A curious sight unfolded in the searing heat at Nationals Park on Monday afternoon. With the first game of a marquee series between the Nationals and Red Sox still a few hours away, Bryce Harper was on the field working. But he wasn’t in the batter’s box or patrolling the outfield. He was at first base, with a first baseman’s mitt in hand, taking grounders and advice from Tim Bogar, the Nationals’ infield coach.

Harper, a former catcher, has told Nationals Manager Dave Martinez he wants to play first base. Could he find his way to the infield for the first time in majors soon? Yes, but only in emergency situations.

“It’s just kind of him getting outside of his comfort zone and doing something different,” Martinez said. “And he’s actually not bad. I don’t know if he’ll ever start a game there, but I believe if we’re in a pinch, some kind of decisions in-game, he probably could play there. So it was good to see him out there feeling good working with Bogey. Like I said, here’s a guy that, love him to death because he’ll do whatever it takes for this team to win and help win and that’s part of who Bryce is.”

9 immediate Yanks issues

Harper has been struggling at the plate this season. He’s hitting just .217, but has 21 home runs, which is tied for most (with Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado) for most in the National League.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.