MLB rumors: Who might sign Bryce Harper AND Manny Machado? Yankees? Phillies? Dark-horse candidates lurking?

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado headline the free agent class. Will a deep-pocketed team like the New York Yankees or Philadelphia Phillies try to sign both sluggers?

MLB free agency began on Saturday, but so far we have seen very little actual movement.

Everyone is waiting to see what Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will do.

Both could command 10-year contracts worth at least $300 million.

Is it possible that one team lands both sluggers?

MLB.com’s Jon Morosi lists three clubs which might try to pull this off:

For years, the Phillies have looked upon this offseason as an opportunity to add a franchise hitter. In fact, they have the payroll capacity to add two, if the market breaks in their favor.

The Phils made the second-best trade offer to the Orioles for Machado in July, and their key front-office officials — president Andy MacPhail and general manager Matt Klentak — have known Machado since the earliest days of his pro baseball career.

Harper has enjoyed playing in Philadelphia during road trips to the city, and it shows in his production: His career .930 OPS at Citizens Bank Park is his best at any stadium in which he has played more than 20 games.

After the Phillies, the White Sox are perhaps the best candidate to pursue both Machado and Harper — although there’s no guarantee they will land either. At present, the White Sox have the second-lowest payroll commitment of any MLB team for 2019. With Jose Abreu entering his final season before free agency, the White Sox need a new face of the franchise. Chicago’s affinity for Machado is well-established, as it pursued him via the trade market last offseason.

The Braves, meanwhile, are taking an opportunistic approach to the free-agent market, given the youth and quality of their current position players. Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos expressed his aversion to long-term contracts in a recent interview with MLB Network Radio, in keeping with the approach he took as the Blue Jays’ GM. But if the market for either Harper or Machado is not as robust as expected, the Braves could be a fallback option.

Morosi also lists teams which might be interested in only Machado: the Yankees and Mets:

The Yankees were viewed as the third-most serious suitor for Machado in July — after the Dodgers and Phils — so it’s logical that they could be involved again, despite concerns over Machado’s attitude that became prominent during the postseason. In one sense, the Yanks’ need for Machado is even greater than it was during the season, because of Didi Gregorius‘ uncertain status in 2019 following Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow. 

10 reasons Yanks need Harper

Morosi does not have the Yankees on his rundown of teams interested in only Harper. But it does include the Nationals, Dodgers, Giants and Cardinals.

Looking for dark-horse contenders for one of both of the sluggers? Morosi points a finger at the Rangers, Angels, Marlins and Cubs.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.