New York Yankees MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Early Favorites to Sign Bryce Harper
Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper knows he's good. In fact, he understands that he's a superstar who's going to command a lot of money when he becomes a free agent after the 2018 season.
Jaws dropped in Washington when Harper reportedly asked for a 10-year, $400-million deal during talks for a contract extension last December, and the Nationals took a step back after they heard his demands. Is there a team with pockets deep enough to offer Harper that much money? The answer is yes.
According to FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman, the New York Yankees are the early favorites to sign Harper once he hits the free agent market thanks to their deep pockets.
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"They will likely be begging for marquee stars when Harper becomes free, and he'll surely be at or near the top of their list — except in the highly improbable event the Angels make Trout available. He's tailor made for Yankee Stadium, and right field seems open at the moment — unless Aaron Judge can prove otherwise (and even if he can, he can always move to left)," Heyman said in his report.
Harper is still 24, but he has already won baseball's most prestigious individual award in 2015 when he was crowned the National League's (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) by a unanimous decision in 2015. Aside from that, he also won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2012. In the same year, he became the youngest position player ever to play in a Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star game when he replaced Giancarlo Stanton on the roster due to injury.
Heyman has noted that the Nationals have a chance of re-signing Harper, but they will have to break the bank to do it. The Philadelphia Phillies are potential suitors as well, according to Heyman. They will also have the money to sign Harper, so the Yankees better watch out for them.
