My Second Thoughts On Harper

Okay, before you pro-signing Bryce Harper fans tear me into pieces, saying how I could change my mind about the Yankees signing him. I think you should hear my thoughts prior to this season. My feeling is, if there is a guy asking for $500 million, you absolutely should stay away. Not because he doesn’t deserve it, because maybe he does. He’s one of, if not the best player in the league, and has age on his side.

I just have been a believer of using $500 million, to sign multiple talented players. Similar to how the Yankees did signing McCann, Ellsbury and Tanaka instead of Robinson Cano. However, the more and more I watch this Yankees team, the more empty they seem.

I’m not ready to call the season in whatsoever. There is plenty of time left. The Yankees may even make the playoffs. Who knows? But I feel like the future needs a direction. The Yankees have been missing that knock him out the park type of hitter. There isn’t someone to really build the team around. Robinson Cano would’ve been that man for us, but we all know that planned out. Instead, why not consider sticking Bryce Harpers giant bat in there with Aaron Judge, Greg Bird and others would look really well.

I keep thinking about how the Yankees always seemed like a better team overall when Derek Jeter was in the lineup. Even when he was in the later stage of his career, the Yankee players kind of just smoothed together in the line up. I think Harper could provide that for this team, and honestly, may be our only option. There is no way we are getting Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton or any of those boys who are going to carry this league for the next decade.

The Yankees need that player that is “knock em out the park”. I’m not even sure the Yankees have an All Star calliber hitter in the line up at this point. McCann and Castro would probably be our best bet, but I wouldn’t be so sure.

McCann is one of the better catcher’s overall, but I don’t think anyone could he is the best catcher in the league. Castro has started off well, and is young and has a future ahead of him. He’s already accomplished quite bit with the Cubs, nearly being at 1,000 hits already. However, can I put him ahead of second basemen like Robinson Cano or Jose Altuve? Eh, I’m not sure about that. Possibly down the line. But when I look at this time, as of April 21^st, 2016, he’s certainly not there.

Bryce Harper in my opinion, is at least in the top 3 outfielder tier. If we aren’t going to put him ahead of Trout, that’s fine. But who else could we put ahead of Trout? So, I reserve my right to change my opinion once again down the line, but I say Yankees should pay Harper what he wants. Build around him, and watch it all play out.

What do you think? Could the Yankees benefit from the dynamic line up that would be provided with Harper, Judge, Castro, Bird and others. The rotation isn’t terrible, though they need to definitely expand their ability to pitch into the 7^th inning. I don’t have to say much about the bullpen, which is easily one of the top two in the league. Only being rivaled by KC.