Milwaukee Brewers: Dreaming of Bryce Harper
Although the Milwaukee Brewers are a small market team, they made waves during last offseason. Could they surprise the baseball world this Winter and land the top player available?
The chances of the Milwaukee Brewers signing Bryce Harper are understandably low. However, the Crew is in a position payroll wise to be a major player on this year’s free agent market.
Harper is arguably the top position player to reach free agency since Alex Rodriguez left Seattle for Texas. Sure, there have been some big names before (Albert Pujols comes to mind), but Harper is in the prime of his career and his best baseball is still ahead of him.
How does Milwaukee fit into this equation? Gabe Lacques of USA Today laid the framework here and I must admit, he definitely makes it seem possible. As he states, Milwaukee has $20 million coming off of the books when Ryan Braun‘s contract runs its course following the 2020 season.
On top of that, the Milwaukee Brewers have only three significant commitments on their books (Braun, Christian Yelich, and Lorenzo Cain) so finding room for Harper’s massive contract isn’t impossible.
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Why would Harper sign with Milwaukee?
Harper is a prolific power hitter who has spent his career playing in a ballpark more favorable to pitchers. The 26-year-old phenom has managed to hit 185 career home runs during his time with Washington and that number would surely rise playing in the comfy confines of Miller Park.
For example, Yelich enjoyed a breakthrough season during his first year in Milwaukee. He hit 36 home runs, easily topping his previous career high of 21, en route to winning NL MVP during this past season. If Yelich can hit almost 40 home runs, imagine how many Harper would hit.
Harper would also be joining the Milwaukee Brewers at just the right time. This team finished one win away from reaching the World Series during this season and with Harper would be instant favorites to win it all during 2019.
Imagine Cain, Yelich, and Harper not only playing in the outfield together but batting in the top three spots of the batting order. Milwaukee would have to be frugal about building the rest of the roster. However, with Harper in tow, the other five slots in the batting order matter just a little less.
Next. Revisiting the Jonathan Schoop debacle. dark
Unfortunately, Harper signing with Milwaukee is about as likely as the Green Bay Packers winning another Super Bowl with Mike McCarthy still in charge. That being said, this is the time of year for fans to let their imaginations run wild and dream of what could be. Harper to Milwaukee is the dream I prefer not to wake up from.