Cashman: Yankees Have ‘No Spot’ for Harper, Remain Interested in Machado

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

When one agent told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal that collective interest in superstar free agent superstar outfielder Bryce Harper was essentially "Philly bidding against Philly," most found such statement hard to believe, considering the New York Yankees always seem to loom as a threat to sign high-end free agents.

Well, Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman might have quelled such speculation on Monday, when asked of his club's interest in Harper.

Cashman responded by "rattling off" names of the six Yankees outfielders — Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Brett Gardner, Giancarlo Stanton, Clint Frazier and Tyler Wade — said there is "no spot," and that playing Harper at first base "is not an option," according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

Later, Cashman added that at "no point this winter" did he consider acquiring an outfielder, and told reporters he is surprised they are "still asking," according to The Athletic's Lindsey Adler.

While the Yankees say they are out in the Harper sweepstakes, they are very much involved in discussions to sign Manny Machado. Cashman said he has had "several conversations" with Machado's agent, Danny Lozano.

With the Phillies reportedly "seem to be more on Manny Machado than Harper," according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury early Monday evening, something will have to give between the two clubs.

Similarly, the Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner said last week that he "does not expect" Harper to return to the club in 2019. The St. Louis Cardinals were reported last Wednesday to not be among the teams targeting Harper as well.

As the suitors for Harper keep dwindling, it appears more and more likely that the Phillies will be the last ones standing.