MLB rumors: Yankees passing on Nationals’ Bryce Harper in free agency?

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado headline the list of players hitting free agency following the conclusion of the 2018 World Series, which the Boston Red Sox won in five games. Will Yankees general manager Brian Cashman make a run at Machado and/or Haper?

One day after the conclusion of the World Series, the Boston Red Sox continue to revel in their five-game win over the Los Angeles Dodgers while the rest of the teams in the league plot their plans to knock off the champs in 2019.

That begins with free agency, which gets under way on Saturday.

The two biggest names on the market will be Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado and Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.

Blueprint for perfect Yankees offseason

On Monday, SNY’s Andy Martino reported on why the Yankees front office is cooling to the idea of bidding for Machado.

But if you think that means the Yankees will be all-in on Harper, think again. Per Martino:

As the Yankees wrapped their pro scouting meetings last week and determined a preliminary offseason strategy, a pursuit of free agent outfielder Bryce Harper was not part of the plan, according to major league sources.

As with Manny Machado, who the Yankees will monitor but not likely pursue aggressively, ownership could step in and mandate a Harper signing. The Steinbrenner family just watched the Boston Red Sox win yet another World Series, and might be in the mood to load up on superstars.

But the Yankees’ early feeling is that Harper simply doesn’t fit. While they could use the lefthanded bat in a righty-heavy lineup, they feel that their outfield and DH spots are spoken for.

…

The Yankees have multiple bullpen and rotation spots to fill, and their early offseason focus centers more around pitching.

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