MLB rumors: Yankees facing new suitor in Bryce Harper sweepstakes

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?

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is facing a new contender in the Bryce Harper sweepstakes, per Dan Bernstein of The Score in Chicago:

.@dan_bernstein reporting that the Bryce Harper negotiations are picking up steam and that the Cubs are among the teams “in” on the free agent right fielder.

Meanwhile, the Yankees’ pursuit of Harper could be influenced by the team’s decision to buy back the YES Network, per Tyler Kepner of the New York Times:

As it happens, the Yankees are in negotiations to buy back the YES network. The sale of Fox’s 22 regional sports networks, including YES, to Disney has triggered a clause allowing the Yankees to regain control of the network.

“It’s a market within a market that no one’s ever talked about,” (Scott) Boras said of the YES factor.

More star power could theoretically increase the value of the Yankees’ programming by driving up ratings and making the network an even more lucrative asset for its next owner. Stars have always driven the Yankees’ brand, but the current roster is not exactly lacking in fan appeal. The team just won 100 games, set a single-season major league record for home runs and generated the highest ratings for YES since 2012.

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Harper reportedly turned down a 10-year, $300 million contract offer from the Nationals before the end of the 2018 season.

Boras is using the 13-year, $325 million contract extension Giancarlo Stanton signed with the Miami Marlins in 2014 as a starting point for Harper, who won the 2015 National League MVP Award.

Multiple sources also have the Phillies and White Sox among the teams interested in signing the 26-year-old Harper.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.