The AL East team that could land Phillies' Bryce Harper in a trade

The AL East team that could land Phillies' Bryce Harper in a trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Philadelphia Phillies fans love Bryce Harper, and vice versa. 

It doesn't appear that Harper is going anywhere anytime soon. 

The 33-year-old is focused on winning the Phillies' first World Series title since 2008 and the first championship of his career. 

But if Harper decides to stun everyone and take his talents elsewhere, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer has an AL East club that makes sense. 

To make this work, the nine-time All-Star would have to request a trade from the Phillies. 

"After what Dave Dombrowski said last year, Harper could be a different story. As a two-time MVP who can play first base and right field and who has a powerful left-handed swing, he's a perfect [New York] Yankees target on paper," Rymer wrote. 

While Rymer's statement is semi-true, the Yankees already have a logjam at DH and first base. Also, Aaron Judge will be back in right field for most of 2027 when he doesn't spend time at DH. 

MORE: Tigers feared Tarik Skubal’s trade market would disappear if they waited too long to trade him

Ben Rice is at first base, and there's no way the Yankees would take at-bats away from him. Don't forget trade acquisition Luis Garcia Jr., who has 26 home runs and a .542 slugging percentage. Garcia is under contract through next year. 

"Yet he also has 10-and-5 rights and can block any trade, meaning he would have to approve any move even if the Philadelphia Phillies are willing to talk," Rymer added about Harper's contract details. 

Sure, the Yankees would love to add Harper to next year's lineup. But how would they make it work, even if one assumes Giancarlo Stanton won't return in 2027? 

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