The pros and cons of Bryce Harper's contenders, Manny Machado



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OK, once again, reset everything and check with our two favorite free agents. It's been 114 days and that's since Chris Sale pulled Manny Machado out of the World Series final. Consider that in the first 100 days of Franklin Roosevelt's presidency, 13 major new laws were passed, including the Emergency Bank Act, the creation of the Federal Emergency Relief, the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the creation of of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration, and the establishment of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Yet we are sitting here, with Machado and Bryce Harper still unsigned (not to mention Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel, the rumors about these two people are drier than the Sahara in the midst of a heat wave). Let's review the teams interested in each player.

Thinking for Harper: Phillies, Nats, Giants, Padres, Mystery Team

Machado: Phillies, White Sox, Padres, Yankees, mystery team

BRYCE HARPER

Philadelphia Phillies

Why it's going to happen: Philadelphia is the only team that does not hesitate to admit that it can hang big money mountains like Harper. According to Cot's Contracts data, the Phillies' current projected payroll is $ 162.5 million, well below the $ 206 million tax threshold. But they also have few long-term commitments beyond 2020: only Aaron Nola, Jean Segura, Scott Kingery and Andrew McCutchen have signed for more than two seasons. From a baseball point of view, the Phillies were only 11th in the points standings of the National League, and their right-handed lineup could use a left-handed pounder.

What could stop him?: Probably because Harper simply does not want to play in Philadelphia.

San Francisco Giants

Why it's going to happen: The Giants are not only looking for a player – their current group of 4 and 5 players on the group of 40 players for a combined battle of 1.6, worse in the majors – but they also need to A new anchor point The core of the Buster Posey / Brandon Crawford / Brandon belt continues to age. According to the weighted series created, which take into account the effects of the park, the Giants committed the worst offense among the majors in 2018. The Giants have not had a 20-circuit guy since Crawford in 2015 nor a player of 30 circuits since. Barry Bonds in 2004

What could stop him?: Oracle Park, the stadium formerly known as AT & T Park. This is perhaps the most difficult course for a left-handed hitter in the major leagues. Does Harper really want to go and watch his fly balls melt on the warning track? Consider that Belt has 42 home career circuits and 70 on the road, and Crawford has 32 at home and 55 on the road. No, it's not the power that hits Harper, but Harper will struggle to make big numbers out there.

San Diego Padres

Why it's going to happen: They are young, they build for the future, it's easy to get to the city of Harper, his hometown, Las Vegas, the weather is mild and the media coverage will be less intrusive than his. He joined a team of big markets. In addition, maybe he likes brown.

What could stop him?: Maybe he does not like brown. The Padres may have a bright future, but they are still in a division with the Dodgers and have not played in the playoffs since 2006. Will they really outbid the Phillies? If this group of hopes does not materialize, Harper could disappear into the no man's land, playing late games on the west coast that no one, outside of San Diego, would watch.

Washington Nationals

Why it's going to happen: The comfort of staying in Washington, DC, must be a factor, especially if the money is close to other offers – assuming, of course, that the money is still on the table. The Koreans have spent a lot of time in the low season with Patrick Corbin and others and will also try to go further with Anthony Rendon – who, you know, could be the best player, even if he is less famous. It seems possible that if the choice is between the Phillies or the Nationals, why would not Harper stay in DC?

What could stop him?: The public's suggestion of $ 300 million over 10 years was actually a smokescreen and they never intended to bring it back. Plus, they could have one of the best offside players in the game without Harper's Juan Soto, Victor Robles, Adam Eaton and Michael Taylor.

2 related

Mystery team

Why it's going to happen: Philly makes the highest bid, but Harper does not really want to go. The giants decide that they need to rebuild. The Padres hoped to have it only if the price was low enough. Nationals … they decided to give long – term money to Rendon. This leaves the mystery team, perhaps on a higher annual average in the short term. It could be any who. It could be … the Yankees. Because Harper is still a perfect choice for Yankee Stadium, and they could easily run it, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton between the two corner places and DH without any problem.

What could stop him?: Harper really likes brown. And only one team goes to brown uniforms in 2020.

MANNY MACHADO

Philadelphia Phillies

Why it's going to happen: See above. The Phillies want a superstar. They locked up Aaron Nola. They have a depth of rotation. They have a new shortstop in Jean Segura and a good power hitter in Rhys Hoskins. But they have not surpassed the .500 since 2011. This scheme under Matt Klentak and Gabe Kapler needs a winning season. Machado will help them get there.

What will stop him?: No Maikel Franco. Probably because Machado does not want to play in Philadelphia either. Maybe he accepts a short-term deal with the Yankees, sacrificing greater, long-term gain for the chance to play in New York.

Chicago White Sox

Why it's going to happen: The White Sox aspire to be relevant again after six consecutive seasons. It is clear that Machado interests them, and Ken Rosenthal just tweeted that they remained a "strong factor" for Machado's services. They need a third base player. I mean, of course that they do. Have they had a good one since Robin Ventura? To be fair, they need a lot. They lost 100 games last year. Perhaps without any other offer that really enthralls him, Machado chooses to return to the American League and join his brother-in-law, Yonder Alonso, and his buddy Jon Jay on the White Sox, where he becomes the choice player of choice. 39, a team in a big market. .

What will stop him?: Did we mention that the Sox lost 100 games? They have kids coming in, but there is no guarantee that this club will change the game in the near future. Moreover, the supposed offers of the White Sox seem to be well below what Machado can obtain elsewhere.

With the approach of spring, here is how the landscape of free agents presents itself.

Passan: Bryce, Manny in stalemate and the latest news from the independent MLB agency

Miller: Welcome to the worst nightmare of a small market team »

Olney The next Aaron Nola? These stars could seek to cash now (ESPN +) »

Gonzalez: How the Dodgers Clubhouse embodies the concerns of independent baseball players

San Diego Padres

Why it's going to happenOne report indicated that the Padres offered Machado more than $ 240 million or $ 280 million. That would seem to easily take over what the White Sox apparently were proposing. If it's between the Padres and the White Sox, the Padres can also sell Machado to have a better farming system. Maybe even the Padres stop to play short-stop (with the best hope Fernando Tatis Jr. moving to the third base when he is ready for major tournaments). Or imagine this: the Padres sign Harper and Machado the same day and they become the best friends of the club and lead them to five consecutive NL West titles.

What will stop him?Machado comes from Miami and may prefer a house closer to the east coast. The Phillies and White Sox home parks are great home parks, unlike Petco, and do not underestimate this selling point to a hitter at home. Sign Harper and Machado? And to switch to brown uniforms? Do not tease us, Schoenfield.

New York Yankees

Why it's going to happen: These are the Yankees. They find a way $ (* #! @ !!) for this to happen. In addition, Machado wants to play there.

What will stop him?: The Yankees are really satisfied Miguel Andujar at the third base. Plus, they are really saving their money for the off-season, when Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Xander Bogaerts, Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, Chris Sale and J.D. Martinez are all potential free agents.

Mystery team

Why it's going to happen: Because some teams will suddenly realize, "Hey, you know, maybe we could Use a 26 year old guy who can play short stop or third base and has an average of 36 home runs, 5.8 WAR and 159 games played in the last four seasons. "

What will stop him?: Baseball owners are going to do baseball owner stuff.

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