The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox were both linked to a trade for Philadelphia Phillies first baseman/designated hitter Bryce Harper in the event the Toronto Blue Jays win the Kyle Tucker free agent sweepstakes.
FanSided’s Jake Elman believes the Yankees could be in play by offering first 1B/DH Ben Rice, while the Red Sox could offer the farm after likely losing third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency.
“Although Harper’s outfield days are likely permanently behind him, that shouldn’t stop the Yankees from calling Dombrowski and the Phillies. The Yankees are unlikely to bring veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt back for 2026, and Giancarlo Stanton’s presence means that the Yankees can’t make Silver Slugger finalist Ben Rice a full-time DH — assuming, of course, that the oft-injured Stanton stays healthy,” Elman prefaced before saying, “(Clint Frazier) suggested in October that the Yankees make Rice the centerpiece of a potential Harper trade.
“Harper has a no-trade clause in his contract, though there are obvious, undisputable benefits of being traded to the Yankees. For all of their flaws and postseason issues, the Yankees have built a loaded roster and have spent decades proving that they’ll do whatever it takes to win championships. The budget doesn’t always lead to results, with the Yankees only owning a single pennant since their 2009 World Series win, but Harper wouldn’t join a borderline playoff team or one looking to break a lengthy postseason drought.
“Let’s also not rule out the Boston Red Sox just yet, considering that they need another heavy hitter in their lineup. All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman opted out of his contract, and Boston still must find a long-term solution at first base. Harper won’t come cheap, but we’ve seen the Red Sox take risks under lead baseball executive Craig Breslow; Boston traded four prospects to the Chicago White Sox for ace Garrett Crochet last winter and dealt Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants this past June.”
Yankees and Red Sox should avoid making bad trade just to spite Blue Jays
With the Blue Jays winning the pennant via a gentleman’s sweep of NYY during the ALDS, there is a revival in interest in the sport up north. Toronto appears keen on investing in its team, with a Tucker signing hammering that point home.
There’s a legitimate arms race in the AL East, and both the Yankees and Red Sox are in dire need of rejuvenating their historic brands. It’s been five years since Boston has made the postseason, but even more embarrassingly, it’s been 17 years since New York has won the World Series.
Does Harper move the needle like that for either team? Probably not at this point. If anything, landing Harper now, with his injury history and mileage, would be like a slap in the face to those who wanted him in 2019 before he went to Philly.
For the cost, Harper is a massive risk for the Yankees or Red Sox.
That risk is amplified in the context of trading for the 33-year-old to get revenge at the Jays.