Phillies

Report: Bryce Harper Not Currently Part of Yankees’ Plans

By Bob Wankel

Published: Oct 29th, 2018 · 1:09 PM EDT

---

We have an update on HARPER WATCH™. The Yankees were presumed to be one of the Phillies’ biggest competitors for the services of Bryce Harper this offseason, but Andy Martino of SportsNet New York reports that’s not the case:

As the Yankees wrapped their pro scouting meetings last week and determined a preliminary offseason strategy, a pursuit of free agent outfielder Bryce Harper was not part of the plan, according to major league sources.

I, for one, believe that’s a great idea. Stay far, far away, Brian Cashman.

If the Yankees do wind up sitting out the impending Harper bidding war, it would be welcomed news for the Phillies (or any other team) that’s in on him. Of course, after the Red Sox won yet another title last night, it’s always possible plans could change:

The big unknown still with both Harper and Machado is if the Steinbrenner family, having just watching Boston win again last night, mandates a pursuit of one of these players.

— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) October 29, 2018

On the Manny Machado front, it has long been rumored that the free agent infielder would prefer to sign with the Yankees this winter, but the team has supposedly soured on the idea, according to Martino:

But we are here to tell you that the baseball operations and scouting departments, which spent most of last week meeting to plot an offseason strategy, was not impressed by Machado’s postseason antics, and are now “lukewarm” on pursuing the former Oriole and Dodger, according to major league sources.

My heart is full.