Yankees GM Brian Cashman is subject to stinging criticism for the team’s sagging fortunes in 2023. His primary mistake, according to fans, is the faulty roster construction that doomed the Yankees. Radio host Keith has gone a step further and branded him a criminal for ignoring a playoff stud and instead, relying on Giancarlo Stanton.

Keith was broadcasting live on the air Wednesday night while witnessing Bryce Harper‘s impressive show for the Phillies that secured two home runs in a crucial Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park. He couldn’t resist envisioning Bryce Harper’s brilliance on the playoff stage while wearing the iconic pinstripes, a scenario that might have unfolded if the Yankees had pursued him more vigorously in free agency four years ago.

Keith fires salvo at Brian Cashman over Bryce Harper

Upon witnessing Bryce Harper’s remarkable performance with two home runs in a crucial Game 3 for the Phillies on Wednesday night, further cementing his postseason legacy, radio hosts found themselves pondering how life would have been different as Yankees fans had this left-handed slugger ended up in New York.

Keith mentioned Bryce Harper had an affinity for the Yankees and expressed surprise at the team not approaching him. The radio host pointed out that Harper had dreamed of playing at Yankee Stadium. He recounted how Bryce Harper, a generational talent who had been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16, had openly discussed not receiving any contact from the Yankees.

However, Keith criticized the Yankees for their response, suggesting that they deemed Giancarlo Stanton sufficient for their needs, which he found redundant. Harper guided the Phillies to a pennant last year and appears to be heading in the same direction in 2023, all while the Bombers remain out of the postseason. For Keith, it was a glaring missed opportunity for the Yankees not to at least consider the possibility of Harper joining the team in the Bronx.

Keith expressed strong disapproval, addressing Brian Cashman, and characterized the decision to not consider Bryce Harper as “criminal.”

“Another guy who grew up a Yankee fan, who got on a podcast and said they didn’t even give me a phone call, they didn’t even contact me,” Keith said. “Excuse me, what? Bryce Harper, a generational talent, who we saw on the cover at Sports Illustrated at 16 years old…the guy was dreaming of playing in Yankee Stadium.”

“You know what the Yankees did? ‘Oh no, we got Giancarlo Stanton, we’re good.’ Redundant,” he said. “Criminal, Brian Cashman for you not to entertain Bryce Harper.”

Other radio hosts joined him to criticize the Yankees

The Yankees may have been out of contention for weeks, but Sal points out that their ongoing embarrassment is not over, all thanks to Bryce Harper’s consistent postseason excellence.

Sal criticized the Bombers, stating that they consistently brought embarrassment upon themselves, even as they observed the postseason from their own homes. He attributed this situation as the primary reason behind the Yankees’ failure to reach the World Series since 2009.

The primary reason for this regret stems from the Yankees’ failure to make a significant attempt to acquire Bryce Harper when he became a free agent before the 2019 season. Despite having a formidable outfield trio comprising Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Hicks, the team opted not to pursue Harper, even though his hitting style appeared tailor-made for Yankee Stadium.

In Sal’s view, the Yankees of the past would have found a way to accommodate a talent like Harper. Instead, Harper’s success stands as a testament to the team’s shortcomings resulting from their shift in philosophy.

Sal commented on how the Yankees of the past, under George Steinbrenner‘s leadership, would have made a move for Bryce Harper, as it seemed like the perfect match. However, he highlighted the change in the organization’s approach, emphasizing that the New York Yankees had conveyed that there was no place for Bryce Harper.

Sal saw this as more than just a Bryce Harper issue; he considered it a symbol of the Yankees’ ongoing failures and a sign that the organization no longer operated in the same manner it had in the past.

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