With pitchers and catchers across the league reporting for Spring Training in less than one week, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado shockingly remain available on the free-agent market. The lack of movement is similar to what was seen after the 2018 season, but matters are seemingly worse a second time around.
There certainly hasn’t been a shortage of reported interest in the two superstars, and in some cases the same club was said to be involved with bother Harper and Machado. Specifically, the Philadelphia Phillies who are looking to make a splash in free agency.
As the Harper saga drags on, it’s allowed for several teams to remain part of the sweepstakes, with some hopeful to convince him of signing a short-term contract.
According to Jon Heyman of Fancred, the San Francisco Giants met with the 26-year-old:
The #SFGiants recently met with Bryce Harper. Extent of interest on team’s part not known, but they did try hard for Stanton last winter. Multiple new teams emerged in last week or two.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 6, 2019
While it’s unclear if contract terms were discussed with Harper, it’s difficult to envision the Giants being in position to sign him to a long-term deal. In his first offseason as president of baseball operations, Farhan Zaidi has looked to shed payroll and retool an aging roster.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been connected to Harper on multiple occasions but not under the scope of a 10-year deal he may be seeking.
