TAMPA — By the middle of Aaron Judge’s 2017 season, it was clear the Yankees would have no reason to swoon over the ultra-talented Bryce Harper when he became a free agent in October 2018.
That didn’t stop outside voices from begging Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman to sign Harper for more than $300 million despite having Judge, who made $622,300 in 2018 and isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2022 season.
Now, Harper is strapped into a 13-year deal worth $330 million in Philadelphia and the Harper-to-the-Yankees noise has been muted.
By the time Harper, who turns 27 in October, is done with his first year in Philly and Judge, who’ll be 27 in April, has completed a third full season in The Bronx, there is a chance Judge will have passed Harper.