by Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is the top bat available in free agency. New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman could make an offer for the 2015 National League MVP. Would Harper be a solution at first base, since the Yankees are stacked in the outfield with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Brett Garner?
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is expected to consider bidding on free agent slugger Bryce Harper, the crown jewel of free agency.
Even though Cashman admits his top priority is finding starting pitching, Cashman isn’t averse to adding a bat like Harper’s.
But adding Harper would require some juggling of the lineup, since the Yankees are set in the outfield with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Brett Gardner.
The concept of signing Harper to play first base has been floated. The Yankees are far from set at first: Is Luke Voit the real deal? Will Greg Bird ever reach his potential?
Harper even took some reps at first in 2018, speculating he was showcasing himself for the Yankees.
But The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that’s not the case:
A move to first also would make Harper seemingly more attractive to the Yankees, who are uncertain at that spot but stacked in the outfield. Boras said he raised the possibility of such a position change with Harper long before he became a free agent.
“Bryce and I had the discussion on working at first base two years ago,” (Scott) Boras said. “He was a catcher for years prior to signing with the Nationals, so first base is very comfortable for him as he can make the infield skill throws.
“This was done years in advance of free agency and had nothing to do with the Yankees’ outfield situation. The versatility of Bryce is value-added to any team. He has a history of playing all three outfield positions and has caught (if an emergency catcher is needed).”
Harper took occasional groundballs and throws at first during spring-training drills and did sporadic early work at the position during the regular season, particularly when Ryan Zimmerman and Matt Adams were injured, a Nationals source said.
Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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