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Phillies rumors: Team to meet with Bryce Harper Saturday

By John Town

ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 16: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals looks on from the dugout during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on August 16, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 16: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals looks on from the dugout during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on August 16, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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The Phillies are reportedly set to meet with Bryce Harper Saturday in Las Vegas after meeting with agent Scott Boras during the winter meetings.

While the Phillies are awaiting Manny Machado‘s decision in free agency, their attention has turned to the other big star on the market. It was reported recently that the team was planning to meet with Bryce Harper in Las Vegas. When asked about it at David Robertson‘s introductory press conference, general manager Matt Klentak said the team was “working on it.”

We now have a date for the meeting. A source told Bob Nightengale of USA Today that Harper and the Phils will meet on Saturday in Las Vegas. Klentak, owner John Middleton, and other members of the front office will be in attendance. This source requested to remain anonymous as negotiations have begun between the two sides.

This will be the first face-to-face meeting between Harper, his wife Kayla, and the team after they met with Scott Boras at the winter meetings in December.

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Harper met with the Dodgers in mid-November in Los Angeles. Harper met with White Sox president Ken Williams, general manager Rick Hahn, and Hall of Famer Jim Thome in November as well. Nightengale said that it isn’t known which Dodgers officials attended; White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf did not attend.

Harper has also reconnected with the Nationals, whose ten-year, $300 million offer he rejected at the end of the season. Nightengale was unsure if Washington has increased their offer, but they remain hopeful they can bring Harper back.

The prevailing thought is that Harper will wait for Machado to sign first. Machado has received offers from all his pursuers, but a signing likely won’t come soon. Both could push their free agency into February hoping to get as big of a deal as possible.

Next. Phillies 1 of 2 aggressive Manny Machado pursuers. dark

For now, we have to wait and hear how the meeting between Harper and the Phillies goes.

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