PHILLIES PHODDER

- It's ok for Phillies' GM Matt Klentak to gloat about having an "excellent" off-season so far. And he has- signing Andrew McCuthen and David Robertson, trading for J.T. Realmuto and Jean Segura, and now signing ace pitcher Aaron Nola to a team-friendly long-term contract.  As long as he doesn't forget that many Phillies fans will be extremely disappointed if he fails to land either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado soon.  They are the big prizes which will instantly make the Phils contenders, sell tons of tickets and give the fans the hope they have missed for so many down seasons.

Sounds like the ball may be in the Harper camp now. I'm sure the Phillies have made a competitive offer, maybe not their best offer yet. They aren't going to bid against themselves, and it sounds like no team is willing to give Harper what he is truly looking for.  As Klentak said yesterday "It takes two to tango..."

I'm sure the Phillies can and will up their offer to Harper, but only if they have to.

After Machado visited the Phillies last year the focus has not been on Manny. It's almost like he is the consolation prize. Machado would make the Phillies much better, improving both their offense and defense. But his impact on the team- both on and off the field- would not be as great as if they sign Harper, both on and off the field.  So Machado has become secondary in this whole process. I'm sure if Harper signs elsewhere the Phillies will turn their attention back to Machado before they are shut-out altogether.

Rumors and daily reports, from pretty reliable writers, have only clouded the issues. Who do you believe anymore? USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale, who for months as written that the Phillies are favorties to sign Harper, yet only recently claimed they would have to "grossly out-bid" San Francisco to land the outfielder.

Better just to wait and see. This can go on until St. Patrick's Day..March 17. Meanwhile other free agent signings and potential trades are being held up. For instance, if the Phillies sign Harper they will have too many outfielders and may want to make trades for pitching ( Cleveland needs outfield help and have an abundance of starting pitching).By the same token, if Machado comes to Philadelphia, what happens at third base? Do the Phillies keep Franco or deal him?

Can't force Harper or Machado to sign anywhere. Meanwhile they are holding baseball hostage. There needs to be a signing period, just like there is a trading period.