Call to the pen
Fansided

Yankees Rumors: Eight potential offseason moves for Brian Cashman

By Paul Ashley

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) General Manager Brian Cashman and Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees during batting practice before Game Four of the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 4-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) General Manager Brian Cashman and Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees during batting practice before Game Four of the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 4-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Yankees
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals reacts after making an out against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on September 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

The New York Yankees have a talented group of outfielders under contract/team control for the 2019 season, but there is one outfielder in particular that would still provide a significant upgrade for the team.

After going hitless in 8 postseason at bats, the New York Yankees may be ready to move on from Brett Gardner as their starting left fielder.  This was apparent when manager Aaron Boone opted to mainly start Andrew McCutchen over Gardner in left field during both September and October.

With Aaron Judge in right field, Aaron Hicks in center field, Giancarlo Stanton at designated hitter, the Yankees will have an open spot in left field as Gardner and McCutchen are both headed for free agency.  Gardner could be back to the Yankees next season if he is willing to be a fourth outfielder as he is a clubhouse leader while he also remains a very solid defender and base runner.

As the Yankees are in win-now mode with a young group of players, the team would be better off chasing a former MVP that will reach free agency at 26-years-old this offseason, Bryce Harper.  Harper holds a career slash line of .279/.388/.512 alongside 184 career HRs and 183 career 2Bs.  He is also already a six-time National League All-Star (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), a one-time Hank Aaron Award winner (2015), and a one-time National League MVP (2015).

It is widely expected that Harper will be able to secure a 10-year or 13-year contract offer, but it would make sense for the Yankees to try to obtain his services with short-term offer.  As Gregorius, Hicks, and Betances are set to reach free agency prior to the 2020 season and Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino are set to soon reach pricy arbitration paydays, the Yankees may want to avoid future financial restrictions.

The mission to get under the luxury tax threshold prior to the 2019 season was due to a new philosophy of the front office that a championship team can be built without needing the highest payroll.  However, another reason is that the front office does not want to help other teams be competitive by shelling out millions in luxury tax to opposing teams.  Due to this, it could be advantageous for both Harper and the Yankees to agree to a short-term pact.

This would allow the Yankees to have an incredible lineup in the short-term while also allowing Harper to reach free agency again at 28, 29, or 30 years old.  Harper could very well still be in position to receive a 10-year contract at any of those points as well.

Convincing Harper to sign a short-term contract would most likely involve the Yankees needing to offer a three-year contract with two player options that ranges from $35-40 million in salary per year.  This could put a final contract in the range of 3 years, $112.5 million or 5 years, $187.5 million if both player options are exercised.  A contract like this would allow Harper to compete on a championship caliber team while also having the opportunity to soon return to free agency.

Home/New York Yankees