As Phillies Lead Harper, Machado Chase, Where Do Padres, White Sox Stand?

The two most anticipated free agency decisions in baseball were expected in January, but it is now three days before the end of the first month of the New Year and Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the two in-demand free agents, are yet to be signed.

Harper and Machado are generational talents, who are almost certain to be well worth the money spent on by any interested franchise and yet there is no bidding war for the players or teams clamoring over each other to ensure they sign at least one of the players.

Both the free agents have met with a number of franchises as they assess their next destination, but there has been no confirmation regarding either of them receiving a concrete offer close to their demands, which is said to be a long-term deal – 10 years – north of $300 million.

According to MLB Network insider Todd Zolecki, Harper’s main pursuers are the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, and the Washington Nationals, while Machado also has the Phillies and White Sox on his trail, the third team are the San Diego Padres.

The Phillies, according to the report, remain the favorites to sign at least one of the two free agents as they have no long-term financial commitment at the moment. While principal owner John Middleton also indicated that they are willing to spend a stupid amount of money this offseason.

The Philadelphia franchise was tilting toward Machado at the start, but after a face-to-face meeting with Harper earlier in the month, reports suggested they now favor the right-fielder over the shortstop. But Zolecki is certain that the Phillies will not sign both the players.

The White Sox have been openly pursuing Machado in recent weeks with their manager Rick Renteria, general manager Rick Hahn and many players openly selling their team to the shortstop during SoxFest. They are the only franchise said to have made a concrete offer, but it was said to be far from what Machado and his agent are expecting to receive.

According to Bob Nightengale, the Phillies remain the favorites in the race to sign Harper, while the White Sox are said to be leading the chase for Machado. But both the players’ representatives are yet to see an offer too good to refuse. The Nationals are the only team said to have made an offer for Harper, which was a $300 million 10-year deal in 2018, but it was rejected at the time.

The Padres have been installed as a wild card by CBS Sports’ Dayn Perry as they have the funds and the roster to attract a player like Machado. They are late entrants into the race but if they can come closest to the player’s demands, they will certainly have a chance to beat long-time admirers White Sox and Phillies.