MLB 2019: Where will Manny Machado and Bryce Harper go?
The smell of freshly cut grass, pitchers and catchers reporting, and the sound of baseballs being hit off wooden bats can mean only one thing: spring training is just around the corner. And we couldn't be more excited.
However, one question still remains unanswered: Where will Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sign?
26-year-old Harper, who is coming off a lengthy and impressive career as the star right fielder for the Washington Nationals, is one of MLB's most sought-after free agents. Many Yankees fans were hoping that he would sign with them, but with an already packed outfield with Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks, general manager Brian Cashman said his team is out on the Bryce sweepstakes.
On the other side of things, Manny Machado is firmly set on a contract that allows him to play every day. After a successful career with the Baltimore Orioles, Machado ended last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, attending the World Series in 2018.
In terms of finding a new home, The New York Yankees were willingly to make a deal for him, most recently a 7-8 year offer worth over $200 million. But with Didi Gregorius due to return in early summer from Tommy John Surgery, it seems unlikely that the Bronx will be adding Machado to their lineup.
All 30 MLB teams have made cases, propositions and huge offers for both Machado and Harper to join their squad and propel them to the ultimate prize in a World Series trophy. But at the moment, everything seems to be at a standstill.
With the first spring training game just one week away, it looks as if Harper and Machado may have to wait until the regular season to find out where their new homes will be - even if they end up settling for just one-year contracts.