The New York Yankees face fresh offseason questions after a quick playoff exit, and one outside suggestion involves adding Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper to the lineup.
Both clubs were eliminated early. The Yankees fell to the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game American League Division Series sweep. The Phillies lost to the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wild Card Series.
Nick Ziegler of Philadelphia Phillies on SI floated the Yankees as a possible destination for Harper in an Oct. 8 piece. He pointed to New York’s repeated October shortfalls despite the presence of Aaron Judge.
“After being eliminated by the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS in just three games, a team that figures to be looking to shake things up as well is the Yankees,” Ziegler wrote.
“Despite having Aaron Judge for the last several years, they have been mostly a disappointment when it comes to their play in October. Perhaps pairing Harper and Judge together in the lineup would be what helps get New York back over the top.”
Harper, 33, played all 162 games in 2026. He hit .269 with 155 hits, 29 home runs, 87 RBIs and 93 runs scored, according to StatMuse.
His on-base percentage reached .380 and his slugging percentage stood at .485, producing an .865 OPS. Those numbers marked a full season after he appeared in 132 games the year before.
Harper remains under contract with the Phillies through 2031. His base salary for 2027 is listed at $26 million by Spotrac.
Ziegler acknowledged the roster fit would not be seamless but argued the Yankees could still make it work amid growing frustration in New York.
“While the positional fit might not be great, the Yankees could surely find a way to pull this off,” he wrote. “Frustrations are certainly growing for New York, and Judge publicly stated after the loss that he would like for the team to go ‘all-in.’ Getting Harper would certainly signal the team’s desire to win right now.”
Judge, who missed the postseason with a calf injury, told reporters the front office should pursue whatever pieces are needed. He said the organization gives the club a winning team each year but that standard is not enough in New York.
Harper has split time between first base and the outfield in recent seasons. Any deal would require the Yankees to sort out playing time alongside Judge and existing infield options.
The Phillies also head into the winter with several pending free agents, including Alec Bohm. Harper said after the Braves series that he expects the roster to look different next year because of players leaving the clubhouse.
The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2009. Their title drought now stretches to 17 years after the latest early exit.
Trade speculation involving Harper has surfaced before, though no formal discussions have been confirmed by either club. The Phillies have kept their core largely intact in recent winters despite consecutive early playoff losses.
Any move for Harper would represent a major financial and roster commitment for New York as it tries to maximize the remaining years of Judge’s prime.
