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Folks, let’s just recap the past what’s happened over the last week or so in the Macharper Sweepstakes. If you get vertigo midway through, just step away, take a sip of water, and then continue.
Last weekend, the Phillies met with Bryce Harper in Las Vegas.
Philadelphia #Phillies emerge as clear-cut favorite to land Bryce Harper after 5-hour meeting as #Nats interest fades barring sudden change of heart. https://t.co/0j5B5Pu2Gg
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 14, 2019
Apparently, the meeting went well.
The #Phillies had a nice little Saturday in Las Vegas. Nice enough that they might be shifting their focus to Bryce Harper now. https://t.co/2jBaI78uM2
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) January 14, 2019
According to a source, the Phillies remain optimistic they will land either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado in free agency, reports @Matt_Breen. https://t.co/b5gplqncLo
— Philly.com Sports (@phillysport) January 13, 2019
But... signing both seemed like it was not going to happen.
Phillies Reportedly Will Not Sign Both Bryce Harper & Manny Machado https://t.co/mKr0PZEOJq pic.twitter.com/oC0vosjspz
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) January 15, 2019
Or maybe not.
I’m hearing this story may not be on point. I’m hearing If the #Phillies could sign both, they would. Not sure that other teams may sign one or both could sign elsewhere. Phillies in mix for each player. @SportsRadioWIP https://t.co/ZeeCTvh7PV
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) January 15, 2019
Not going to sign both of Macharper? Ok then. No worries.
The #Phillies, according to team executives, have visions of signing Harper,
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 15, 2019
Keuchel and Kimbrel.
Harper to the Phillies is gaining momentum, folks.
Sources have told me that the #WhiteSox are out of running with Bryce Harper. Confidence is very high on MY end that the #Phillies will sign Bryce Harper
— AG Sports Network (@agsnetworks) January 15, 2019
Oh, and here’s some Mike Trout acid trip sprinkled in the mix.
Regardless who they sign this winter, phillies will make a big play for mike trout in 2 years — provided he hasn’t signed an extension, of course. #LAAngels will try to extend Trout this winter, but while he likes it there, the whispers are that an extension now is unlikely.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 15, 2019
Then, like a lightning bolt out of the sky... BOOM!
The #Phillies will have Bryce Harper or Manny Machado or possibly both in uniform on opening day
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 16, 2019
No reason given? Just a hunch? A little birdie told ya? OK, I’ll take it. Next!
Then Ken Rosenthal tells us, the way things are shaping up, the Phillies “can’t lose.”
What moves should the @Phillies make?@Ken_Rosenthal breaks down the latest rumors on #MLBNHotStove. pic.twitter.com/yffl8D82rm
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 16, 2019
Harper and Kapler are best buds now, apparently.
Word is, Harper and Kapler really hit it off during the Las Vegas meeting, which could be another factor in Phillies’ thinking. Easy to see that: both quite intense
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 16, 2019
Are you sure we can’t get Machado AND Harper?
"I still think it's possible. I know the Phillies are downplaying it, but John Middleton is the one writing the checks." - @BNightengale on the Phillies getting BOTH Harper and Machado
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) January 16, 2019
It is with these next tweets that MLB Twitter decided to explode.
The #Whitesox made their 7-year, $175 million offer about two weeks ago and haven’t felt the need to alter it, and bid against themselves . Just like Martinez last year with #Redsox as @Buster_ESPN points out, whose only other known offer was a one year proposal from #Dbacks https://t.co/NJSiooQXep
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 16, 2019
Those tweets ticked off Dan Lozano something awful.
Dan Lozano of MVP Sports Group, the agent for Manny Machado, released the following statement regarding recent reports: pic.twitter.com/MmKy9doaFz
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 16, 2019
Aaaaaand here comes Heyman from the top rope!
hear that the rumor of a chisox 175M offer for 7 years for manny machado is not correct. am told it is "way off," though not sure exactly how off. I'd say offer has to be higher and almost surely begins with a 2.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 16, 2019
Jim Salisbury says, despite it all, the Phils are in a pretty sweet spot.
This thing is shaping up beautifully for the Phillies, writes @JSalisburyNBCS.https://t.co/qCeA3hvx4w
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 16, 2019
And ESPN’s Jeff Passan says Harper to Philly is probably the most likely thing to happen.
Here's the video of Passan on TMKS: pic.twitter.com/LIULFShIm8
— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) January 16, 2019
Finally, this wouldn’t be complete without another Mike Trout rumor.
Again, saving a place for Mike Trout now, when it's entirely possible he'll sign a contract extension or, when he reaches free agency, decides he doesn't want to play for his hometown, is shortsighted. It is hope as a tactic, and it is foolish.https://t.co/DYvlcDog9d
— John Stolnis (@JohnStolnis) January 17, 2019
So, that’s where things stand. Any questions?
On Hittin’ Season Episode 249, host John Stolnis talks Phillies Hot Stove with MLB.com’s Mike Petriello. As fans wait for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado to make up their minds where they want to sign, the delay has the Phils in the driver’s seat to sign one or the other or... both. Also, the Hot Stove is driving everyone crazy, including agents and reporters. And what should we expect from Odubel Herrera in 2019?
Don’t miss a @TheGoodPhight
— John Stolnis (@JohnStolnis) September 4, 2018
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