Will Bryce Harper or Manny Machado end up in Philadelphia next season? Why not both?
According to a report from Fancred's Jon Heyman on Friday, multiple rival executives think the Phillies might be able to land both of the biggest superstar free agents on the market this offseason.
Philadelphia has come up plenty of times as a potential destination for Harper and Machado. MLB.com's Todd Zolecki has previously reported that Philadelphia will target both players when they hit free agency after this season, and that the club could sign both.
Making such a big splash would certainly make the Phillies a favorite to contend for a playoff spot in the National League East in 2019. The team's rebuild has accelerated faster than expected -- the Phils entered Friday 74-71 and in second place in the division -- and Harper and Machado are two of the top position players in the game. Adding either one, let alone both, could be the difference-making piece for a postseason push.
The Phillies have shown they're willing to spend in the offseason, having brought in big-ticket free agents Jacob Arrieta and Carlos Santana this past offseason to complement their core of homegrown young stars like Aaron Nola and Rhys Hoskins. Even with the deals they handed out to Arrieta and Santana, the Phils still have a relatively low payroll and plenty of room to add another marquee player or two entering 2019.
The 25-year-old Harper is hitting .247/.388/.503 with 33 home runs and 94 RBIs for the Nationals this season. Machado, who's 26, is hitting .302/.374/.545 with 34 homers and 93 RBIs between the Orioles and Dodgers.