The Toronto Blue Jays have presumably remained far away from the Bryce Harper free agent circus this offseason, however, is the time right for the Jays to go all-in on the slugger?
Both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain in free agent purgatory as the start of spring training looms, it was initially thought both would score decade long deals in excess of $300 million. That now may not be the case on February 08th.
So, the question begs to be asked, should the Blue Jays now attempt to land Harper at the eleventh hour? Presuming, Harper would even agree to sign north of the border, he could conceivably form one of the most dangerous offensive duos in the game once Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is summoned from the minors.
Harper is still on 26 so he definitely fits what the Blue Jays are trying to build. The fiscally responsible will argue Harper is not worth the dough but since when do we care about the Blue Jays books and the money Rogers is shelling out to players. This isn’t the Vernon Wells contract all over again, this is Bryce Harper.
We recently asked the Jays Journal followers on Twitter if the Blue Jays should sign the free agent. We received 1037 total votes with 65% of the people who participated agreeing the Jays should take the Harper plunge.
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The Jays immediately become much closer to contending with Harper slotted in the middle of their order. The slugger isn’t 32, he is 26 and is a generational talent. How can any MLB team not at least do their due diligence when it comes to signing Harper.
A 2020 lineup consisting of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Bo Bichette, Bryce Harper and Vladdy Jr occupying the top four spots would strike fear in a great number of opposition pitchers. The Blue Jays have an opportunity to add a generational talent without sacrificing their prospects. All it will take is money, granted an exorbitant amount of money, however, last time I checked the Rogers Company makes hand over fist money on the daily.
A Harper signing would be a step in the right direction to rid themselves of the Boras “Blue Flu” and prove to their fanbase that this management regime is serious about one thing……winning.