Phillies rumors: Expect Manny Machado decision in the next week

Momentum is slowly but surely growing in the Manny Machado sweepstakes as he could reportedly be signing with the Phillies or another team in the next week.

The baseball world is waiting with bated breath for the free agency decisions of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. The market has slowed to a crawl as the Phillies and other potential suitors center their free agency plans around them. However, a decision from one could be imminent.

Bruce Levine of the Score 670, a Chicago sports radio station, reported that Machado will make his free agency decision in the next week. He said that the Yankees, White Sox, Phillies, and a potential fourth team are in the bidding and looking for an answer soon.

Levine stated that Philadelphia’s meeting with Bryce Harper in Las Vegas could serve as an “artificial deadline” for Machado’s decision. In the event that Machado does not sign with them, they would feel even more pressure to sign Harper. On the other hand, they prefer Machado so they likely want to know where he’s going first.

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While a decision may be coming soon, it’s still unclear who has the lead in the bidding. Levine reported that momentum is building for the White Sox. On the other hand, Philadelphia is preparing another offer for Machado, which should get closer to his reported asking price of $300 million. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com also reported that the Phils are ramping up their efforts for Machado.

Levine pointed out that Philadelphia is likely willing to go 10 years for Machado, several more years than the White Sox are willing to. He also noted that Machado is receiving offers between $25 and $28 million annually. At that annual salary, no one will reach his $300 million asking price.

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This long free agency process may be drawing to a merciful close soon, hopefully in Philadelphia’s favor.

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