Revisiting Brian Cashman's Genius Logic Of Passing On Bryce Harper Because The Yankees Had "Too Many Outfielders" in 2018
I've said this countless times on the blog, but no one on Earth more frequently thinks they are the smartest person in the room while simultaneously being the dumbest than Brain Cashman. Maybe no situation shows that more than the offseason leading up to 2019.
For years Yankee fans had circled that offseason because it finally meant Bryce Harper was available to sign as a free agent. Not only did he grow up a huge Yankee fan, but he seemed like the perfect personality to inject into the franchise. More importantly, he brought that power lefty bat which was made for Yankee Stadium, which was once a staple in the Bronx Bombers' lineup. There is quite literally a short porch in right field designed for lefties to pepper over and over again, but the Yankees refuse to build around that. Just think about the 2009 lineup for a second…Cano, Matsui, Teixeira, Damon, Swisher, Posada. All those guys could attack you from the left side. They won the World Series. Go figure!
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The Yankees lefty hitters in the 2018 season comprised of Greg Bird, Brett Gardner, Didi Gregorius, and Aaron Hicks. Exactly zero star power from the left side. No real slugger whatsoever. So when it came time for Harper to leave DC, the Yankees seemed like the perfect match. At least sit down with the guy and see what happens. What's the harm in a meeting with a superstar free agent?
Cashman saw no fit and no meeting was arranged. Why? Because they had "six outfielders" blocking him.
Who were these six outfielders you probably wonder? Cashman broke it down.
"I have Judge, Stanton, Ellsbury, Gardner, Frazier, Hicks. Ellsbury will be healthy and Frazier will be healthy"
Aaron Judge and Stanton? No problem, understood. Back then Stanton was a real life human being who could move and swing the bat. Aaron Judge is Aaron Judge. Two for two. Old Brett Gardner? Coming off a .236 season with a .690 OPS. That guy is stopping you from Bryce Harper? Clint Frazier is making one of the game's best hitters off limits? Aaron Fucking Hicks? JACOBY ELLSBURY???? The fact that Cashman went as far to say Ellsbury would be healthy coming off of hip surgery is fucking lunacy. It's enough to have him committed to a mental institution.
The fact that those four outfielders prevented Cashman from pursuing Harper is fireable in itself. I think ignoring the notion of signing Harper there will go down as one of the biggest mistakes in the history of the franchise.
The real kicker is how he didn't see first base being a fit for Bryce, if it came to that.
"I'm sure it's potentially a possibility, but it's not something that we would play on at that level with that type of money, to play somebody like that at first base."
And where is Bryce Harper playing these days as he carries the Phillies in the postseason? First base. Just shoot me in the face.
Brian Cashman has made countless errors in the past that have fucked over this franchise. Not even meeting with Harper is firmly right at the top. It's an inexcusable, unforgivable error that should have been followed with his firing/not being extended. Instead Hal handed him a four year contract at the end of 2022. The franchise is so backwards it's painful and depressing.
Harper was destined to become one of the most iconic Yankees ever. That's just what would have happened if he played like he has in Philly. He would already have a ring here and be poised for more. Instead I gotta watch him be the fucking man in Philadelphia doing shit like this.
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Brian Cashman should be in jail for life.
P.S. Cashman basically did the exact same thing with Seager. If we get a Rangers-Phillies World Series and those two are trading blows left and right I may no longer have the will to live.