After news broke that Bryce Harper rejected the Washington Nationals “aggressive” offer, it’s looking more and more like the two sides are headed for a divorce. The rumor mill has started to stir as to where the star slugger will land and the Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as the favorite. BetDSI has posted odds on where he’ll land and the Phillies are listed as the top option:
Bryce Harper team in Game 1 of 2019 regular season:
Philadelphia Phillies +120
Los Angeles Dodgers +200
Washington Nationals +450
San Francisco Giants +1500
Chicago White Sox +3500
Field (Any other team) +450
It seems like the Phillies could be in line for a banner offseason as they’re also the favorites to land Manny Machado according to the oddsmakers.
Manny Machado team in Game 1 of 2019 regular season
Philadelphia Phillies +220
New York Yankees +400
Los Angeles Dodgers +750
Miami Marlins +1500
Detroit Tigers +3500
Field (Any other team) +100
The Phillies are a young team that’s on the rise and would become one of the top options to win the 2019 World Series. Remember, this team started the season 58-44 before fading down the stretch. At that point, they looked like a lock to make the playoffs – at the very least – and be a very dangerous team in October. However, they finished the year just 24-38 and missed the postseason entirely. They went 8-20 in their final 28 games.
Offense is at the top of the list of the Phillies’ needs, which makes it no surprise that they’re eyeing the top two hitting free agents. Philadelphia finished the year 30th in batting average and just 22nd in runs scored. Only two of the day-to-day regulars – Maikel Franco and Jorge Alfaro – finished with a batting average above .260.
What’s interesting to note is that Harper might not actually help their cause in that area. Of course, he brings a lot of pop to the order as he had 34 home runs last year with 100 RBIs. However, he batted just .249 on the season. It was the second time in three seasons that he finished at .249 or worse.
As for Machado, it does look like his time with the Dodgers will be short-lived. While it’s possible that he returns, the reality is that he’s a tough sell in Los Angeles right now considering he batted just .227 in the playoffs. They traded for him to boost their World Series hopes and he wasn’t much of a difference maker. However, the Phillies would love to scoop up Machado, who is just 26 years old. He had 37 home runs in the regular season along with 107 RBI’s. Prior to this season, he had at least 33 home runs and 111 RBI’s in three straight seasons. The New York Yankees are right in behind the Phillies in terms of odds but they’re apparently lukewarm as of right now given some of Machado’s dirty plays in the postseason.
BetDSI Sportsbook has odds up on several other key free agents and their potential destinations. Here’s a look at where former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel and former league MVP Josh Donaldson are expected to land:
Dallas Keuchel team in Game 1 of 2019 regular season
Cincinnati Reds +200
Houston Astros +350
New York Yankees +500
Los Angeles Angels +1500
San Francisco Giants +3000
Field (Any other team) +150
Josh Donaldson team in Game 1 of 2019 regular season
St. Louis Cardinals +150
Cleveland Indians +275
Toronto Blue Jays +500
Philadelphia Phillies +750
Tampa Bay Rays +1500
Field (Any other team) +300
