Giants, Yankees Are New Betting Favorites To Sign Bryce Harper, Manny Machado In 2019 Free Agency

The San Francisco Giants are the latest team to meet with Bryce Harper. According to the latest rumors, the New York Yankees are still checking in with Manny Machado.

It appears that those bits of news have changed the betting odds in regard to the future of both star players.

San Francisco is the new favorite to sign Harper at BetOnline with even odds to acquire the outfielder. The online sportsbook has made New York the odds-on favorite to land the infielder with 1/2 odds.

The Giants are ahead of the San Diego Padres (5/2), Philadelphia Phillies (4/1), Los Angeles Dodgers (15/2) and Washington Nationals (10/1) in the Bryce Harper Sweepstakes. Following the Yankees in the Manny Machado Sweepstakes are the Padres (4/1), White Sox (5/1) and Phillies (5/1).

Philadelphia’s odds might be the most perplexing, given that it’s long been expected that they would sign either Harper or Machado. The Phillies made it clear at the start of the offseason that they could be “stupid” about spending money this winter, though they’ve yet to follow through on that declaration.

The Phillies had the best odds to sign Machado a month ago. The Nationals were the favorites to sign Harper. Washington has made Harper the largest known offer, reportedly presenting him with a $300 million contract at the end of the regular season.

If the latest reports are true, Harper would likely have to sign a short-term deal to start the 2019 MLB season with San Francisco. Machado would seemingly be leaving money on the table, as well, were he to choose the Yankees.

Chicago appeared to be the clear frontrunner to sign Machado as recently as this past weekend.