Bryce Harper will be a Yankee

In 2010, after the Nationals drafted Bryce Harper with the first overall pick, he signed a seven-year deal worth 18.9 million dollars. This means Harper will become a free agent after the 2017 season. At this point in time, the 19-year-old superstar will be a young 25 years old.

Bryce Harper has already shown he has what it takes to be a star in the Major Leagues and as long as he stays healthy the Yankees will definitely pursue him. They also have the means to do so. After the 2017 season, Alex Rodriguez’s mega deal will expire. This will free up the Yankees player salary and allow them to pursue Harper and offer him Arod money. I’m not saying they will offer the youngster a 10 year 250 million dollar offer, but if the Yankees needed to, they definitely could and if Harper is already a superstar at the age of 25, look for the Yankees to offer a deal similar to the one they offered Arod in 2007. 

Additionally, Mark Teixeira’s current deal of 8 years $180 Million ends after the 2016 season. Also ending after the 2016 season is CC Sabathia’s contract of 7 years $161 Million which made him the highest paid pitcher in baseball. With all these mega deals expiring after 2016 and 2017, there is no reason the Yankees won’t go after Harper for the 2018 season. He has the perfect swing for Yankee Stadium and could thrive in the small ballpark. He also idolizes Mickey Mantle and there would be no better way for the youngster to follow his idol than donning pinstripes just like number 7 Mickey Mantle did for so long. So if Harper lives up to the hype and is the best player in baseball after the 2017 season, don’t be surprised if Bryce Harper is wearing pinstripes in 2018.

He's Back

On Sunday May 13, 2012, Andy Pettitte returned to the mound at Yankee Stadium to make his first major league start since the 2010 season. During that season Andy was 11-2 with a 3.28 ERA at the age of 38. After that season, Pettitte retired to spend more time with his family.

Evidently, his family got real sick of him and Pettitte announced his comeback in March 2012 and signed a one-year deal on March 16, 2012. Pettitte took the mound on May 13, to a roaring ovation from the fans at Yankee Stadium. After Andy settled in, through the first three innings he was looking like the Andy Pettitte of old allowing no hits over the first three innings. However, the next three and one third innings did not go over as well. The first hit he allowed was a homerun off the bat of Justin Smoak of the Mariners.

As the game went on and Andy got tired the Mariners started to get to him. Andy finished the day allowing four runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings with two strikeouts. Which really is not a terrible line for someone who has been out of baseball for over a year. However, it was not good enough for the Yankees to get the win and the Mariners’ offense is sub-par at best. Nonetheless, one thing is certain. Regardless of how Pettitte pitches in the regular season, he will perform when it matters most in October for he holds the record for most postseason wins all-time in baseball history.