Infielder Josh Harrison returned to the free-agent market when the Phillies released him Tuesday, but he may not be without a team for long. The Braves, Reds, Yankees and Rangers have all shown interest in Harrison, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets.
If Harrison does land another contract, it’s likely to be a minor league deal, as his pact with the Phillies was. Now 33 years old, Harrison earned two All-Star trips as a Pirate from 2011-18, but his production in Pittsburgh plummeted during his final season with the club and continued to decline in Detroit in an injury-shortened 2019 campaign. Harrison managed a horrid line of .175/.218/.263 (22 wRC+) in 147 plate appearances last year, leading the Tigers to release him in August despite handing him a guaranteed $2MM before the season.
At best, Harrison would likely be a bench option at second and third for any of the teams eyeing him. The Braves have Ozzie Albies at the keystone and Austin Riley at the hot corner. Harrison’s native Cincinnati boasts big-money offseason pickup Mike Moustakas at second and 49-home run man Eugenio Suarez at third. Meanwhile, the Yankees look to be in good shape at the two positions with DJ LeMahieu (who should soon return after a coronavirus-caused absence) and Gio Urshela/Miguel Andujar. So, Texas could arguably present the best opportunity for Harrison, considering second baseman’s Rougned Odor’s immense struggles in 2019 and the lack of a clear solution at third.
He was terrible last year in Detroit. Well, I guess everyone was.
He’ll sign with the Yankees.He’ll want to win the championship
How about he’s just doing the Yankee scam by saying they’re interested to jack up his own price tag
At this stage, he’ll take the best offer to actually stay on the roster unless he wants to go home. My take.
At this stage, he’ll take the best offer to actually stay on the roster unless he wants to go home. My take.
Not as bad as he was. He was the worst player of the positional players on the Tigers last year. So disappointing because he and Jordy Mercer were actually pretty decent in Pittsburgh previously. I thought their experience would have carried over to Detroit. Mercer, once he came back from injury, was serviceable and is on the 30-man roster for the Tigers as a bench player/possible utility guy in 2020.
He’s 33 and oft injured. Being in Detroit had nothing to do with him being injured. He’s a minimum wage guy now at best and an emergency fill in. Still, he will probably get hurt.
I don’t want him.. not at all. Last 2 years were brutal. He’s done. Injuries or not, he didn’t perform at all. Rather see young guys or what we already have
he’s just doing the Yankees scam, saying they’re interested to start a bidding war from otherwise cheapskate teams
Saying it twice doesn’t make it doubly true.
No? Damn now you tell me
No? Damn now you tell me
apparently you know heyman’s sources
That only works in your empty head. The Yankees did not offer the most money last year which is why he went to detroit.
What kind of a bidding war? He’s getting a minor league deal.
Sometimes certain players just click on certain teams. A lot of times it depends on how good or bad the team is, players on the team, hitting coach, manager, etc and it’s a fact that Seitzer has helped turn around a lot of hitters through his career as a hitting coach.
If covid spreads around, having a versatile player will be helpful on the taxi squad.
He won’t come to Yankees. He’ll need to shave
That no beard rule no longhair is the most stupidest rule out there it’s 2020 the Yankees should get a life
I really disagree. The Yankees believe players should look professional because they represent the Yankees not looking like cavemen. If a player objects to that he does not have to sign with the Yankees ( look at David Price).
So yeah, its a stupid rule.
It’s an outdated rule that removes a player’s individualism and really takes some fun out of the game. Everyone knows who the Yankees are. Let the players have some fun.
@NY_Yankee, that’s the last team I would think would have a rule like that since they are always trying to buy championships. If any team was to ever go broke that’s who I would want it to be.
Better not be for a 40 man spot. He has deteriorated significantly, but he’s worth a shot on the 60 to earn his way back. Some team will panic though.
Always liked how Harrison played the game. Guys who can play all over the field stick around. Hope he locks on with a team with post season chances, even if it’s a 60 game year.
Texas is perfect trust me Harrison much better than Refsnyder
Thats future HOF Refsnyder
And the attitude and no off field issues plays big imo
I think Harrison would be a fine option as a bench piece for Texas, but the only issue is this. Nick Solak! Let Solak get as much playing time as possible! If we do get Harrison, I hope he is just for the back of the bench to maybe let some of our guys get breaks. But please Texas, if we do get Harrison, still let Solak be the first option as a fill in! He needs to get in more playing time, he is super under-rated as a strong hitting prospect.
I doubt the Reds are interested.
You won’t find a classier guy, but his best days are clearly behind him.
I don’t see him fitting with the Yankees, who have two younger, speedier home grown infield/ utility players in Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada.
Solak should be starting over Odor. Solak is a solid player. Odor needs a bounce back season if not they need to let him go.
They both stink
I loved Harrison when he played with Pirates for those years, but the last few years has shown his age catching up to him. I wish him the best
He asked to be released from the Phillies because he wanted a guaranteed roster spot. Harrison wants playing time. I don’t see him getting that on some of the teams mentioned here.
He’s from Cincinnati I believe. Might be where he wants to finish up.
He is a Cincinnati Native. Princeton High grad. But, he would only get a spot at the Prasco camp and he’d be behind Blandino, Davidson and Colon. But, it would be a nice way to finish up a fine career, if the Reds have room. More likely, he’d be opening a door to coaching with the Reds.
Why???⚾️
2014 was so long ago.