The Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees each misplaced within the Divisional Collection amid excessive October expectations. That ought to result in a whole lot of modifications in each high-pressure markets. The Phillies could commerce Bryce Harper to kickstart a retool centered across the return, and the Yankees might use an offensive spark. Does this make sense for each groups for a Harper commerce?
The Phillies simply went all-in on the commerce deadline, buying and selling a prime catching and pitching prospect for nearer Jhoan Duran. Changing these essential positions needs to be the purpose of any Harper commerce. They need to be centered on getting the very best prospects to get again to the World Collection shortly with this commerce. Buying and selling a two-time MVP ought to web a bundle that may attain that purpose.
Once they name the Yankees, the Phillies will ask for Cam Schlittler. The 24-year-old rookie dominated the Boston Pink Sox in Recreation 3 of the Wild Card Collection and was nice towards the Toronto Blue Jays in Recreation 4 of the ALDS. A newly minted celebrity has been born on the Yankee Stadium mound, and the Phillies ought to completely ask.
However the Yankees ought to grasp onto Schlittler and provide both Luis Gil or Will Warren, two extra younger homegrown arms. The Phillies would then pluck most of the prime prospects from the Yankees’ pipeline for Harper. This commerce can be costly, as Harper has six years left on his deal.
The Yankees have a younger, left-handed first baseman who can be one of many prime items within the commerce. Ben Rice had an incredible season, which makes him a prime goal for the Phillies.
Phillies obtain: 1b/C Ben Rice, RHP Luis Gil, RHP Chase Hampton (NYY #8), OF Spencer Jones (NYY #4, MLB #99)
Yankees obtain: 1b Bryce Harper
Would the Yankees commerce for Bryce Harper?
Bryce Harper was a prime free agent after the 2018 season, and his rookie deal ended with the Washington Nationals. He expressed curiosity in becoming a member of the Yankees, however the not too long ago acquired Giancarlo Stanton made a Harper contract almost unimaginable. With a crowded outfield and costly payroll, Harper by no means had a gathering with New York. He signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies.
The Yankees nonetheless have Brian Cashman working the present, as he was in 2018. So, making a commerce that admits an enormous mistake may very well be out of the query. Buying and selling Rice opens up first base, and the Yankees have cash to spend with Cody Bellinger hitting free company. Buying and selling for Harper could make conserving Bellinger unimaginable, which may be a non-starter.
If the Yankees don’t make the commerce, they may be capable of preserve Rice and re-sign Bellinger. After almost snagging the AL East title for the Blue Jays after Juan Soto left, they might run it again, hoping for higher outcomes. However the Yankees followers are pissed off with the October struggles, and a commerce might assist repair that.
The Yankees have been extra centered on constructing a stable protection because the embarrassment of Recreation 5 of the 2024 World Collection. That’s a part of the rationale Bellinger was an incredible match. Harper, regardless of first base being the second place of his MLB profession, has been an above-average fielder since transferring over there. Rice shouldn’t be an incredible fielder at first or catcher, so this may very well be a defensively-minded commerce as nicely.
The Yankees might commerce for Harper, put the entire stress on 2026, and hope he figures out his personal postseason issues. Or, they might re-sign Bellinger, attempt to develop Rice into an incredible defensive first baseman, and get their pitching workers wholesome. Both manner, the expectation is a championship for the Yankees.