The Phils rolled out the red carpet for Machado last week, hosting him and his wife for more than 4 hours at Citizens Bank Park, followed by a dinner in Center City. Team owner John Middleton has vowed to spend stupid amounts of money to improve the team. He might have to get really, really stupid to get Machado, who is widely rumored to prefer playing for the Yankees. It could take more than $350 million to get Machado in red pinstripes, and even that might not be enough if he has his heart set on the Bronx.
Then there's Harper. The Phils met with his agent, the evil Scott Boras, during the Winter Meetings earlier this month. But now it looks like the Dodgers are going to make a serious run after trading outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp to the Reds. Harper is from Las Vegas and would have eto be tempted for the extra promotional cash and star power that Hollywood has to offer.
I still think the Phils will end up with Machado. But if they fail to sign either one, it won't be for lack of trying. Like I said, Machado has always dreamed of being a Yankee. And the bright lights of Hollywood might be too hard to resist. People will want to pillory Klentak and Company if they don't get at least one of these guys. But if their hearts are elsewhere, there's no amount of money that will change their minds.
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