Yankees MVP Aaron Judge predicted to use WBC to his advantage, try to recruit $330 million two-time MVP to New York originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With the World Baseball Classic almost underway, New York Yankees franchise superstar Aaron Judge has a unique opportunity: use the time he has with the best American players in the world to try recruiting them to his MLB team.
Advertisement
Fansided’s Mark Powell believes this as well, and predicts that Judge could take another stab at trying to recruit a fellow MVP he went for this offseason: Philadelphia Phillies franchise superstar Bryce Harper.
“Let’s start with the obvious choice, shall we? Judge admitted he and Harper are close, with the Yankees star trying (and failing) to sway the now-Phillies star to the Bronx in free agency. It was worth a shot…Harper wasn’t happy with Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski this winter. Dombrowski was brutally honest about Harper’s declining skill-set in his end-of-season press conference. Harper still thinks he has a lot to give. By now, you know how this story goes. Harper claims the two have buried the hatchet, but this argument could be revisited down the line if Bryce has a bounce-back campaign, or if the Phillies fall out of the NL East race by the trade deadline,” Powell wrote.
This past season, Harper slashed .261/.357/.487/.844 with 32 doubles, 27 home runs, and 75 RBI in 132 games played. Insert him into the Yankees’ already scary lineup, and New York can argue they have the best offense in baseball.
Advertisement
Harper is contracted to make in the mid-20 millions until his age-38 season in 2031, so it would make the Yankees’ payroll take a hit. However, keep in mind that he’d be a lefty in Yankee Stadium, so his game could age very well for New York, especially if he becomes their first baseman.
Hopefully, the Phillies season starts to derail early on, as Judge can use that to advantage to recruit Harper even harder and have New York make Philly an offer they can’t refuse.
MORE MLB NEWS
Proposed Pirates trade sees Pittsburgh deal Konnor Griffin for $100 million MVP, five-time All-Star