Whenever Bryce Harper delivers a dazzling performance, it stirs up discomfort among New York Yankees supporters. This was precisely the case on Wednesday night when Harper hammered two home runs and powered the Philadelphia Phillies over the Atlanta Braves in Game 2. He also played a key role in their Game 3 win and NLCS sweep.
Bryce Harper, who grew up as a Yankees fan, appeared destined to don the pinstripes and have his own place in the Bronx history once the team eventually secured him with a long-term contract in free agency. However, that scenario didn’t materialize, and the Yankees’ choice to forego him has proven costly in recent years, particularly given the team’s current needs.
There’s a noticeable trend of reevaluating the Yankees’ choice not to sign Bryce Harper in 2019, and it all begins with the team’s decision to acquire Giancarlo Stanton along with his $325 million contract in 2018.
During that time, Stanton was undeniably one of the game’s top players, fresh off a season in which he secured the National League MVP award by hitting 59 home runs and boasting a 1.007 OPS. It’s crucial to the present conversation to note that Stanton played a full 159 games for the Miami Marlins in his MVP-winning season. In his debut season with the Yankees in 2018, Stanton contributed with a .852 OPS, 38 home runs, and 100 RBIs while playing 158 games. However, Stanton’s subsequent two seasons were marred by injuries. He made a resurgence in 2021, being one of the few bright spots in that challenging season, nearly single-handedly carrying the Yankees through the one-game wild-card match against the Boston Red Sox. But in the past two seasons, Stanton once again grappled with injuries, a decline in production, and reduced mobility making him a liability for the Yankees.
Bryce Harper secured a remarkable 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies back in 2019. Throughout his four seasons with the Phillies, he has consistently showcased his prowess as one of the premier players in the game, boasting a formidable .931 OPS. In addition to his regular-season excellence, Bryce Harper has also established himself as one of the most clutch hitters in MLB postseason history and has been the Phillies’ key contributor in taming the Braves.
Bryce Harper wanted to play in pinstripes
Not long after Bryce Harper gained national recognition through Sports Illustrated’s “Chosen One” cover story in 2009, the 16-year-old had the opportunity to visit Yankee Stadium. This budding baseball sensation had received an invitation to join the Yankees’ amateur Area Code team for a workout. In anticipation of the upcoming practice, Bryce Harper arrived a day ahead of schedule to make use of the stadium’s batting cages. Matt Hyde, a Yankees scout who also served as a coach for the organization’s Area Code team, explained that Bryce Harper’s early arrival was motivated by his desire to be fully prepared for the following day’s training session.
Hyde recounted his experience, explaining that he initiated the practice session with a soft toss from the side. He noted that the player’s first swing demonstrated the intensity one would expect in a seventh game of the World Series. There was no gradual warm-up; Bryce Harper was immediately fully engaged and committed to the session. Hyde found this level of determination and focus to be particularly noteworthy.
Bryce Harper’s impressive skills were on full display during the subsequent workout, which took the form of a scrimmage in the Bronx. At one point, he smacked a ball to left field that carried all the way to the wall. Matt Hyde, who was coaching at third base, instinctively raised his hands to signal Bryce Harper to stop at second base. However, the young phenom ignored the stop sign and sprinted on.
Hyde recounted the moment when he observed Bryce Harper rounding second base, and to his surprise, Bryce Harper showed no signs of slowing down. The next thing he knew, there was a close play at third base, with Bryce Harper ultimately being ruled safe. Hyde expressed his astonishment at the level of aggressiveness with which he played during a scrimmage game, even when there was no audience present to watch.
Hyde’s interactions with Bryce Harper were brief, spanning just two days during that summer. Nevertheless, they had the opportunity to bond while at Yankee Stadium and during a dinner outing. On the eve of the scrimmage, Hyde treated Bryce Harper and his father to Foley’s NY, a renowned baseball-themed bar and restaurant in New York City. During this time, the player displayed a remarkable level of professionalism and confidence. He even autographed a copy of the Sports Illustrated cover for the establishment’s owner.
These encounters left a positive impression on Hyde. As a scout, he sought to foster a connection between the Yankees and the young talent who would later become the Rookie of the Year.
Hyde explained that the process had advanced considerably, and he believed that by having the player at the stadium, they were in the process of establishing a historical connection, which was a common practice with all the players they scouted. He noted that they had successfully built a substantial history with players like Anthony Volpe and Aaron Judge, emphasizing that it was a fundamental aspect of their operational approach.
Cashman made a mistake
But the Yankees made a critical decision to forego the opportunity to sign one of the game’s finest players when Bryce Harper became a free agent. The Las Vegas native ultimately signed a monumental 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Since then, Bryce Harper has secured his second MVP award and embraced his resilient adopted city with exceptional fervor.
At the age of 30, Bryce Harper is presently leading the Phillies in their quest to reach the National League Championship Series. His remarkable performance, including three home runs in the NLDS, has Philadelphia eyeing its second consecutive World Series appearance, seeking redemption after last season’s loss to the Astros.
While the Yankees find themselves out of the playoffs for the first time since 2016, they are left to watch from the sidelines. Bryce Harper’s exceptional postseason performances, which have solidified his reputation as a star in these crucial games, have reignited the discontent among some Yankees fans. This frustration stems from the team’s decision to not pursue Bryce Harper before the 2019 season.
When the Yankees chose not to pursue Bryce Harper, their General Manager, Brian Cashman, cited the team’s crowded outfield, making it seemingly impractical for Harper to play first base. It’s worth noting that since then, Bryce Harper has indeed taken on the role of a first baseman for the Phillies, but only after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The Yankees had a significant commitment to six outfielders at the time, including Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, Jacoby Ellsbury, Aaron Hicks, Clint Frazier, and Brett Gardner. Jacoby Ellsbury, who was under a contract worth $21.1 million, hadn’t seen action on the field since 2017. Aaron Hicks, making $6.3 million, was considered one of the top center fielders in the American League. Clint Frazier, though limited to 15 games in 2018, was highly regarded as one of the team’s promising prospects. Brett Gardner was coming off his least productive season since 2011 and was heading into his age-35 season.
It seems that the Yankees’ decision to forego Bryce Harper was primarily based on financial considerations, as from a roster construction standpoint, it’s challenging to discern how any of the players mentioned above held more importance in the team’s perennial championship-or-bust ethos than the Phillies star. Placing Bryce Harper between Judge and Stanton would have presented a daunting challenge for any opposing pitching staff.
What makes the decision to not pursue Bryce Harper even more astonishing is that the Yankees didn’t make any attempt to express even a modicum of exploratory interest. There was absolutely no interaction or communication with the player during his free agency. It seems the front office was so convinced that acquiring him for the Yankees was an implausible scenario that they didn’t see any point in engaging in discussions.
Despite the Yankees’ roster featuring six outfielders, there was undoubtedly room for Bryce Harper. They could have structured an outfield with him in left field, Aaron Hicks in center field, and Aaron Judge in right field, while Giancarlo Stanton could have served as the designated hitter.
The rationale the Yankees offered for their roster configuration at the time lacks substantial merit. The decision not to sign Bryce Harper essentially boils down to the Yankees choosing not to acquire another high-priced player just a year after taking on Giancarlo Stanton’s $325 million contract. It appears that not showing even the slightest interest was a significant misstep, as Bryce Harper’s signing would likely have had a transformative impact on the Yankees’ prospects.
The historical blunder
In hindsight, none of the above-mentioned four outfielders should have deterred the Yankees from pursuing Bryce Harper. Cashman also argued that Bryce Harper wasn’t a viable option for first base, but it’s worth noting that the player transitioned to playing first base during the current season after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Although the Yankees mentioned logistical concerns, it’s more plausible that the Yankees’ hesitation to pursue Bryce Harper was primarily due to financial apprehensions on the part of Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner. The player was expected to command a hefty contract, with some speculating it could reach $400 million over a 10-year deal at the time. With Giancarlo Stanton already on the Yankees’ payroll and Aaron Judge likely heading for a significant payday, coupled with other substantial contracts, the prospect of a projected $40 million average annual salary appeared daunting.
However, Bryce Harper’s actual contract pays him just over $25 million per season, which many consider a bargain for a player of his exceptional abilities.
Reflecting on that offseason and questioning the Yankees’ lack of interest in him may seem like revisiting old territory, but it’s challenging not to ponder the potential possibilities as the Phillies continue to benefit from his extraordinary talent.
Bryce Harper’s dream of playing for the Yankees never materialized, but he’s fulfilled just about every other aspect of what that Sports Illustrated story prophesied. And the Yankees were left to blame themselves for passing on him.
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