MLB Trade Rumors released their free agency rankings and predictions. They expect the Phillies to sign three of the top free agents this season.
The biggest question everyone tries to answer during the offseason where the biggest names on the free agent market wind up. MLB Trade Rumors released their own series of predictions, releasing contract and team predictions for the top 50 free agents on the market (according to them). The Phillies were mentioned numerous times throughout the list.
The three free agents Philadelphia are predicted to sign are shortstop Manny Machado, pitcher Charlie Morton, and outfielder Nick Markakis.
Philadelphia is listed as the betting favorite for Machado, who is ranked as the No. 2 free agent. MLBTR projects him to get a whopping 13-year, $390 million contract. This would make him a Phillie all the way until 2031. There are questions regarding his attitude and willingness to play third base, but he remains one of the best players in baseball.
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While Machado’s contract may look enormous, it is not even the biggest one expected to be handed out this year. Bryce Harper, the other big name Philadelphia could potentially sign, is predicted to get a 14-year, $420 million contract from the Dodgers, setting a new league record. Both of these deals blow Giancarlo Stanton’s previous record deal out of the water.
In addition to Machado, Philadelphia is expected to reunite with Morton for a two-year, $32 million deal. Morton, who will soon turn 35 years old, made four starts in Philadelphia back in 2016 before a season-ending torn hamstring. He then went to Houston, revitalizing his career and developing into one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game.
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Morton was unsure of returning to baseball this year, but eventually said he would like to stay in Houston. They didn’t give him a qualifying offer, so they may want to move on. Morton’s family is located in Delaware, so Philadelphia and Washington were cited as the two logical landing spots for him.
Markakis was a surprising name to see linked to the Phillies. There hasn’t been any real chatter up to his point linking to the two sides. He may be the backup option for right field in the event they don’t sign Harper. Markakis started the year off hot and was an All-Star for the first time in his career, but he was a league-average hitter in the three years prior.
In addition to the players MLBTR predicts them to sign, Philadelphia is listed as a potential destination for may other players on this list. Besides the obvious one in Harper, they are also listed for Patrick Corbin, Craig Kimbrel, Yasmani Grandal, Nathan Eovaldi, A.J. Pollock, Andrew McCutchen, Josh Donaldson, Marwin Gonzalez, and Zach Britton.
There are so many different options Philadelphia could pursue this offseason, and that’s what makes it so exciting.