By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
LAS VEGAS — Millville, New Jersey, native Mike Trout was long thought to be the eventual, big free agent signing of the Philadelphia Phillies.
After agreeing to a six-year, $144.5 million contract extension that would keep Trout under the Los Angeles Angels' control through 2020, however, confidence from fans that Trout will don red pinstripes in the foreseeable future is no longer as certain.
The "plan b" for the Phillies' organization just might not be too far out of their sights: three-time All-Star, 2012 National League Rookie of the Year and 2015 NL MVP, Bryce Harper of the NL East's Washington Nationals.
According to a recent listing by OnlineGambling.LV, the Phillies currently have the fifth-best odds of the 30 Major League Baseball teams — 10/1 — to sign the 23-year-old once he reaches free agency after the 2018 season.
Ahead of the Phillies are the New York Yankees (10/3), Los Angeles Dodgers (4/1), Nationals (7/1) and Boston Red Sox (9/1).
Harper coming to Philadelphia in 2019 would fit right in-line with their current prospect development process. He would likely play in a corner outfield position opposite Nick Williams, who would at that point already have a couple of full Major League seasons of experience.
Harper is a .325/.385/.692 career hitter at Citizens Bank Park with 18 extra-base hits and 23 runs-batted-in over 31 games. Through 528 games overall for his career, he is batting .290/.385/.529 with 106 home runs and 271 runs-batted-in.
From 2009-2015, the Phillies' total payroll totaled $1.1 billion, according to Baseball Prospectus. Over those seasons, the Phillies' payroll averaged $158.2 million, with the highest coming in 2014 at $178.7 million.
The Phillies' current payroll for this season — $88.8 million — is $89.9 million less than their highest mark two seasons prior, and their lowest since 2006 at $87.6 million.
High contracts from players such as first baseman Ryan Howard and catcher Carlos Ruiz are coming off the books after this season. The Phillies only have a combined $26.7 million currently allotted over the next two seasons.
OnlineGambling.LV has set the over/under for the value and length of Harper's next contract to be at $450 million and 12 years, respectively.
With their 25-year, $2.5 billion television contract with Comcast SportsNet still bringing in funds, the Phillies are set up to spend big once the timing is right.
