Philadelphia Phillies still target Bryce Harper
The Philadelphia Phillies recognize the multiteam dash to land at least one of baseball's megastars on the free agent market is nearing its final stretch, and according to published reports, general manager Matt Klentak and Co. are prepared to make another push.

The Phillies are expected to meet with Bryce Harper within the next two weeks out at his home in Las Vegas, this according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

The Phillies met with Harper's agent, Scott Boras, during the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas back in mid-December. Though Boras confirmed he met with the Phillies, he wouldn't elaborate on the nature of the discussions.

The fact Harper is willing to meet with the Phillies shouldn't necessarily indicate the superstar is coming to Philadelphia. Multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and even the Washington Nationals all remain as potential landing spots. Harper could have a sincere interest in hearing a pitch from the Phillies, or he could be using the club as leverage to earn a bigger payday elsewhere.

Keep in mind, the Phillies are also in the Manny Machado sweepstakes, and according to sources close to the Philadelphia Baseball Review, the club is willing to offer a 10-year deal - something some other clubs, including the New York Yankees, are trying to avoid.

Machado visited Philadelphia just before Christmas, meeting with the club for a little more than four hours at Citizens Bank Park. He also met with representatives that week from the White Sox and the Yankees.

There's no timetable for anything to happen, but it's possible now with the calendar flipped that all parties involved get a little more aggressive as spring training is now less than two months away.
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR

BY PATRICK GORDON
Managing Editor
pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com

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