by New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman kept the door open to signing free agent outfielder Bryce Harper at the 2018 MLB GM Meetings in Carlsbad, Calif. on Monday, November 6, 2018 (11/6/18).
CARLSBAD, Calif. — It wasn’t a no.
The Yankees are keeping the door open to signing Bryce Harper this offseason.
When Brian Cashman was asked if he’d be open to spending as much as $300 million on an outfielder in free agency — that’s how much Harper and only Harper could get — the Yankees general manager didn’t shoot it down.
“I see where you’re going with that now,” Cashman said at the 2018 MLB General Managers Meetings at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on Monday. “I wouldn’t say. We’ll just continue to evaluate everything in the marketplace. But we’ll look at significant upgrades, incremental upgrades in our quest to be the best.”
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Earlier, he had been asked if adding outfield help after re-signing Brett Gardner to a one-year, $7.5-million deal, Cashman said he’ll “look at anything.”
“Past years have shown that too,” he said. “We, I think, we have to be open minded to constantly be challenged. If there’s an area we can get better, we’re always looking to incrementally improve or significantly improve. So, I’ll be still open to even outfield stuff, even though outfield looks like it’s fine.”
Harper, just 26 years old, hit .249 with 34 home runs, 100 RBI, a lead-high 130 walks and a .889 OPS in 159 games in 2018 with the Nationals.
His agent, Scott Boras, recently said Harper has made up his mind already as to where he’ll land.
The Yankees currently have Gardner back in left field, likely splitting time with Giancarlo Stanton who will also DH. Aaron Hicks slides into center field and Aaron Judge would be in right field.
The Yankees are expected to play heavily in free agency. They still need to add multiple starting pitchers and enforce their bullpen.
Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.
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