The Phillies reached an agreement with McCutchen on a three-year deal worth $50 million last week during the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old provides an upgrade to the outfield and offense, but he's not the megastar signing that so many fans want to see. A five-time All-Star, he'll slide into the right field and provides the Phillies with some depth to possibly trade Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, or Roman Quinn.
As for Machado, he'll be visiting Philadelphia as part of a free agent tour that includes stops in New York with the Yankees and Chicago with the White Sox.
The Yankees are expected to make a serious push for Machado, expressly because they have a need at shortstop with Didi Gregorius expected to miss a part of the season following elbow surgery. Machado can play third base which is where the Phillies would employ him, but he prefers to play shortstop and that position is filled by newly acquired Jean Segura.
If Machado signs elsewhere, it's likely the Phillies will turn their sights to veteran Mike Moustakas. The 30-year-old finished 2018 hitting .251 with 28 homers and 98 RBIs and would provide Philadelphia a potent left-handed bat in the middle of a vastly improved lineup from a year ago.
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