MLB Rumors: Bryce Harper, Manny Machado Could Be Unsigned For Weeks As Phillies, Yankees Weigh Options

MLB free agency officially began on Nov. 3, 2018, making Bryce Harper and Manny Machado available to all 30 teams in baseball. Seventy-five days later, two of the league’s youngest and best stars are still unsigned, and that could be the case for several more weeks.

The market for the 26-year-olds isn’t what is what projected to be during last season. Machado was expected to be the first superstar off the board, but he doesn’t appear close to landing a contract a month after meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox. Philadelphia and the Washington Nationals might be the only teams that will come close to Harper’s asking price, while the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers are considered long-shot destinations for the outfielder.

Pitchers and catchers will report in a few weeks. The first 2019 spring training game is scheduled for Feb. 21. How much longer can Harper and Machado remain without a team?

If last offseason is any indication, the two players could potentially hold out for at least another month. Just look at J.D. Martinez, who didn’t agree to his five-year, $110 million contract with the Boston Red Sox until around Feb. 19. The slugger reportedly was looking for a much more lucrative deal when free agency began, but he settled for Boston’s offer when he couldn’t land his desired contract.

Machado is reportedly looking to break the record Giancarlo Stanton set when he agreed to a $325 million contract four years ago. While there have been many conflicting reports regarding what Machado has exactly been offered, it’s pretty clear that he hasn’t been presented with a deal worth close to that.

If Machado is determined to make around $300 million, his free agency might not come to an end anytime soon.

Philadelphia seems willing to spend more money than anyone, and they are expected to make the biggest offer for either Machado or Harper. Maybe the Phillies will give the infielder $30 million a year for close to 10 seasons.

The Yankees have turned into a dark-horse candidate for Machado. It’s clear they aren’t prepared to give the four-time All-Star $300 million, and they seem content to move on from the free agent. There is speculation, however, that New York could jump back into the race if Philadelphia opts to sign Harper over Machado. The White Sox might be the Yankees’ only competition at that point, and it’s unknown if Chicago is willing to go much further than $200 million for Machado.

The Athletic’s Matt Gelb has reported that Philadelphia will not sign both Machado and Harper and the Phillies might not make a choice between the two players until February. The organization had been thought to prefer Machado, though that might have changed after the team’s recent meeting with Harper.

There is evidence that Harper could sign a historic deal. He reportedly turned down a $300 million offer from the Nationals at the end of the regular season, and Washington has remained engaged with the outfielder. If Philadelphia decides they need Harper on their roster, they could surpass that offer by a good margin.

Exactly when the Phillies might make that offer and start the process of getting these superstars off the market remains unclear.