Bryce Harper and Manny Machado highlight next year’s great free agent class, and the New York Yankees might only be able to choose one.
The New York Yankees are a top team in the American League. They’ve gone through a quick rebuild stage and had a surprise year in 2017. The team is now looking to build on that success, especially since the acquisition of slugger Giancarlo Stanton early in the offseason. New York has deep pockets, but that doesn’t mean the club will spend all its money this year. Like many teams, the Yankees are looking toward next year’s loaded free agent class.
The Yankees will obviously have a good chance of signing anyone they want. New York will be in on historic players such as Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Which one should they sign? This is what Jon Heyman wrote about their interest in both:
"The Yankees seem illogical for Harper. But who thought they’d land Giancarlo Stanton. They love the player, and his family were Yankees fans. Though, the reality is, the Yanks seem set on Manny Machado for next year."
That may deflate Yankee fans hoping for Harper. He and Machado are two of the best players in the game and will most likely get the biggest contracts ever. Machado is a slick defender with a cannon of an arm, as well as a powerful bat. Harper has less defense and more pop. His swing was meant for the Yankees short right field porch. Machado has a higher career WAR than Harper at 27.9.
Here is the projection for Bryce Harper in 2018: .302 BA, 37 HR, 103 RBI, 100 R, 6.1 WAR
Manny Machado: .291 BA, 37 HR, 104 RBI, 81 R, 5.6 WAR
They’re both going to have monster years. Just imagine what both could do playing home games at Yankee Stadium. Harper’s vicious left-handed pop would blast home runs like no one’s business. Machado is a defensive wizard, but the Yankees have two top prospects on the cusp of the big leagues in Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres. Those guys are the future of the infield.
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Clint Frazier hasn’t broken out yet, but he could be used as a trade chip for a controllable starting pitcher. Jacoby Ellsbury’s contract is a headache, and doesn’t end until the conclusion of the 2021 season. Brett Gardner is a free agent after the 2018 season. There will be an opening in the outfield after this season. Although the Yankees have Aaron Hicks, they shouldn’t pass at signing Harper.
On top of all that, who do casual fans think of first, Harper or Machado? The right fielder has been a stud since he was 16 and generated huge buzz. He’s more of a well-known player than Machado to the average fan, and along with Stanton will help give the Yankees the star power they’ve been lacking in recent years.
The Yankees should sign Harper over Machado because he’s more marketable and would give the Yankees the best outfield in the MLB, period. They would cement themselves as a possible dynasty with him. The Yankees have held onto their top prospects to come up and produce. So why block them with Machado? This is, of course, a good problem to have, and it seems like whoever they choose will have a shot at at least one World Series.