Before Bryce Harper ever made it to the major leagues, everyone in the baseball world knew his name. He was a power-hitting teenager the likes of which had never been seen. Resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, a young Harper dreamed of becoming a great player like his idol, Mickey Mantle. He would be a great fit for whichever team he joined, but unfortunately, Brian Cashman didn’t think so.

The New York Yankees, in decline ever since its star players retired in the last decade, are in desperate need of consistently good players. Their outfield is severely lacking and as 2023 proved, even the team’s offense can’t do anything. Oh, what wouldn’t have fans given to have Harper on this roster? What’s more, the now-Philadelphia Phillies star wanted to play for the team too.

Playing In Pinstripes Was a Childhood Dream for Bryce Harper

The Washington Nationals had the pick of the draft when Bryce Harper enlisted, and he played there until 2018. Rookie of the Year and a consistent All-Star, the slugger was one of the best that baseball had to offer. It was almost assured that Harper wouldn’t stay in Washington after his initial contract ended. Many expected he would join the Pinstripers because it had always been a dream.

Having made the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2009, Harper spoke to Tom Verducci about his future dreams. “Be in the Hall of Fame, definitely. Play in the pinstripes. Be considered the greatest baseball player who ever lived. I can’t wait,” he said plainly.

Had he made it to the Bronx after hitting free agency, it would have been the perfect end to the script. Instead, Brian Cashman heartlessly rejected him.

Primarily an outfielder, Harper could have strengthened the Yankees roster. But their GM, as usual stubbornly believing in his ability to judge players, didn’t even make an offer. “I’m surprised you’re still asking [about outfielders]. At no time have I said I’m looking for an outfielder,” Cashman said in the winter of 2018. Who were the others that the general manager put his trust in instead?

Brian Cashman’s Trusted Yankees Led to the Team’s Downfall

With a star like Giancarlo Stanton, as well as Aaron Judge in the outfield, it was supposed to be strengthened better than ever. Aaron Hicks was trusted to play, so was the defensively good Brett Gardner, as well as Jacoby Ellsbury and Clint Frazier. Instead, almost all of them collapsed almost simultaneously.

Big G has not performed well in a single year in Pinstripes, injured or slumping. Except for the captain, the others have retired or been released, although too late. Had they had Bryce Harper to fill in for injuries, the Yankees would have long ago broken their World Series drought.

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Instead, Cashman insisted that his team had no need of Harper, who won an NL MVP and even the World Series MVP in Philly, taking the team to new heights.

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