Two of MLB's biggest stars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have entered free agency as they expect for a team to offer them lucrative and long-term contracts. While the spring training is currently ongoing, fans and sports analysts are still wondering when the two will get playing contracts.
In an article written by Joshua Schrock for NESN, Harper and Machado have shown no interest in closing a deal at the moment with a lot of MLB teams that showed interest to them. If their fans want the two to ink a contract as soon as possible, then it will be unfortunate for them to hear that they may not do that for quite some time.
YES' Chris Shearn tweeted that he talked to a source with the knowledge of the ongoing Harper-Machado saga in MLB. He was told by his source that the negotiations will not resolve until mid-March.
It is already mid-February and it seems unimaginable among MLB fans that Harper and Machado are still not accepting any contracts at all. Teams like the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres have already shown interest in giving out massive contracts to the two.
It's not just those teams in MLB that is willing to give huge contracts for Harper and Machado. The New York Yankees, which was previously an ideal team for Machado, gave a $220-million offer but they were still declined.
In an article published by MLB, Padres GM A.J. Preller already went to Miami to have a meeting with Machado last week. Meanwhile, San Diego representatives already met with Harper in Las Vegas previously.
The Padres may not be in contention in MLB 2019, the article said, but Machado could be a big help for them. One of the reasons stated was that Machado is a star-caliber producer while in his mid-20's.
It was reported that the New York Yankees was hesitant to increase their offer for the star shortstop. Instead, they preferred to trade for Nolan Arenado instead for a better chance of good performance in MLB.
The Yankees are also targeting Harper to be with the MLB team. The team's general manager Brian Cashman earlier said in the Winter Meetings that they are out to chase Harper.
It was also reported that the MLB team Houston Astros had a deal with Harper over the winter. Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow confirmed that the reports were true but it was nixed by Washington's ownership.
