New York Yankees rumors: Is a Josh Harrison trade on deck?
By Kyle Cardoza
Josh Harrison expressed his discontent with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The New York Yankees failed to strike a deal with Pittsburgh last time. Will that be the case again, if New York calls?
Gerrit Cole is gone, but the New York Yankees still have an opportunity to snatch another Pittsburgh Pirates player before Spring Training. While general manager Brian Cashman continues to woo Yu Darvish to the Bronx, Josh Harrison could also be on his list.
Since acquiring Giancarlo Stanton, New York has searched for another starting pitcher and more infield depth. Fans and analysts still bicker over who should be starting at second and third base come April.
At this point, no one truly knows the plan except maybe the front office.
However, what is factual is that Pittsburgh entered a rebuilding period the second after dealing Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole. And Harrison wants no part of it, asking the organization for a trade. The veteran utility player said it would be best for all parties involved.
Hence, the Yankees may be in touch with the Pirates once again. Furthermore, Harrison is not deemed as valuable as Cole, thus Cashman may be able to steal the multifaceted 30-year-old without forfeiting any worthwhile prospects.
Josh Harrison said he wants to be traded if #Pirates aren't contending next year, #Yankees need a second baseman, trade some mid-level prospects and get Harrison in pinstripes so there is a veteran infielder #MLB
— Vincent Pensabene (@TalkVinTalk) January 17, 2018
Pittsburgh moved on when New York didn’t budge on surrendering Chance Adams, Clint Frazier or Gleyber Torres. But the Pirates didn’t garner an impressive reward from the Astros or the Giants in their two swaps.
The Yankees have one of the best farm systems in the league. Guys like Frazier, Jake Cave and Billy McKinney are stuck in the minors due to the team’s abundance of talent at the big-league level. Still, it doesn’t mean Cashman ultimately has to get rid of them only to get (possibly) one year of Harrison in return.
Fans and analysts would probably agree that it’s not worth it.
I would love for the Yankees to trade for Josh Harrison and have him play second base. He would be a perfect fit. And with the Pirates selling off assets left and right it wouldn’t be hard to do.
— Matt Johnson (@MattJohnson621) January 17, 2018
Harrison was one of the team’s more consistent hitters across the past four seasons. He’s posted an average better than .270 in each of those years. While he hasn’t offered much power since his career season in 2014, he’s still gotten on base consistently.
Nevertheless, he still needs to improve his plate discipline. His batting average keeps his on-base percentage somewhat respectable. But drawing a combined 87 walks in 2,063 is unimpressive and not ideal.
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That being said, Harrison also offers some speed and power at times. He blasted a career-high 16 home runs last year, while producing 47 RBIs in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the lineup.
Even with an uptick in bombs, his OPS was still a middling .771. That is just a tad higher than what Chase Headley sported last year. Yet, Didi Gregorius’ OPS was just .025 points higher. Todd Frazier boasted a .788 OPS to add even more perspective.
The main question revolves around whether the Yankees need Harrison. He doesn’t offer much more than the current infielders on the roster, as both Ronald Torreyes and Gleyber Torres can occupy either second or third base.
Furthermore, allowing the younger players to experience growing pains will allow them to adjust to big-league pitching. That plan turned out well for Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez.
Notable free agents remain on the market. Eduardo Nunez, Frazier and even Brandon Phillips – I know, yikes – could be temporary options in the field.
The Yankees must decide whether they would rather surrender more money or a mid-tier prospect – or two. Since Darvish is still in the mix, Cashman likely won’t sign a free agent infielder unless he can free up some cap space.
Next: Is Travis Shaw a future trade prospect for NY?
That could mean a trade for an infielder is more probable. But that doesn’t mean a deal for Harrison is a sure thing, nor should it be.