Philadelphia Phillies managing general partner John Middleton traveled to Las Vegas on Friday night to meet with free-operator outfielder Bryce Harper in the place where he grew up, sources affirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Barring something totally unforeseen, Harper and the Phillies won’t consummate an arrangement Friday night, alliance sources told Passan. It is to a greater degree a shot for the sides to investigate whether they are commonly intrigued by the long haul bargain Harper is looking for, sources said.
The Phillies likewise met with Harper in January in Las Vegas. Furthermore, the offseason started with Middleton saying, “We’re going into this (free agency) expecting to spend money. And maybe even be a little bit stupid about it.”
On Thursday, the San Diego Padres marked the other enormous name of the free-agent market, Manny Machado, to a 10-year, $300 million arrangement. It is the greatest free-operator contract in American sports history.
Different groups known to have met with Harper this winter incorporate the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals, with whom Harper spent the first seven seasons of his career.
Harper, 26, is searching for an arrangement in overabundance of the 10 years, $300 million the Nationals apparently offered him toward the finish of the regular season. The left-handed-hitting Harper batted just .249 out of 2018, yet had 34 homers and 100 RBIs and went ahead solid after the All-Star break.
The Phillies were eleventh in the National League in runs scored last season, and their right-handed-heavy lineup could utilize a lefty power hitter.
NBC Sports Philadelphia was first to report that an agent from the Phillies was in Las Vegas on Friday.
