Phillies not the betting favorite to sign Bryce Harper
By John Town
The Phillies remain the Vegas favorite to sign star free agent Manny Machado but are not the favorites for Bryce Harper.
Early in the offseason, the Phillies were named the betting favorites to sign Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Since then, they have remained at the forefront of the hunt for both of them. Little has come out about the club’s plans during this, but what has indicates an interest in both players.
BetDSI released their updated odds for where Machado and Harper will start the 2019 season. Despite everything that has transpired with between Harper and Philadelphia, they remain second to the Nationals in their odds to sign Harper. Washington sits at +150 with Philadelphia just behind at +175.
The Dodgers are not too far behind in third at +250. The White Sox are fourth at +400 and the Cubs round it out at +700. However, Kris Bryant has already said the Cubs are not going to sign Harper, so they are out.
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Philadelphia remains the favorite for Machado at +120 with the White Sox second at +150. The Yankees remain part of the discussion in third at +200, but they aren’t as likely.
During the 2018 regular season, BetDSI had the Yankees and Nationals as the favorites to sign Harper at +475. Philadelphia was tied with the Cubs and Dodgers at +765. Since then, they have certainly moved up in the odds, but it is a surprise they are not the favorite.
After Harper’s meeting with Philadelphia, the industry consensus quickly became that he would sign with them. The front office thought it went well, Harper came away impressed, and he and Gabe Kapler got along well during it.
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Despite this, BetDSI still has Washington as the favorite. They remain Philadelphia’s biggest competition to sign Harper after he spent the beginning of his career there. They offered him a 10-year, $300 million contract at the end of the season. The Nationals will certainly do what they can to keep Harper, although it will involve spending well over the luxury tax threshold.