By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Philadelphia Phillies Managing Partner John Middleton's comments on the club's offseason plans — saying it will "maybe even be a little bit stupid" about spending — surely caught significant attention on Friday.
Poised for a "monster winter," the Phillies have been linked to just about every significant free agent so far — such as Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Patrick Corbin — that, if acquired, would require a significant salary commitment.
Middleton has been on record as early as mid-July, saying the Phillies would pursue both Harper and Machado. Things have changed since then, to say the least. Machado made a few controversial comments and actions this past postseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the New York Yankees have recently swooped in as a mutual-interest destination for both Machado and the club.
In late October, Fancred's Jon Heyman reported that despite Machado's postseason antics, the Phillies signing him is "not off the board," with brass still praising his "talent."
It appears the Phillies' board has shuffled. And Machado is not on it. According to El Sol de Margarita's Juan Vené on Friday, the Phillies are "no longer interested" in signing the four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner.
"We're going into this expecting to spend money and maybe even be a little stupid about it."
The #Phillies sound ready to make a splash this offseason! 👀 pic.twitter.com/5GDWbsXZGn
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 16, 2018
Spanish:
Los Phillies ya no tienen interés en firmar a Manny (María Moñito) Machado. El mánager, Gabe Kapler, no lo cree conveniente. En esa organización tienen a un grupo de jovencitos, que requieren buenos ejemplos en el campo de juego, no la indolencia del joven que adorna su cabeza con las clinejas de María Moñito…
English translation (with assistance from Google Translate):
The Phillies are no longer interested in signing Manny (Maria Moñito) Machado. The manager, Gabe Kapler, does not think it's advisable. In that organization they have a group of youngsters, who require good examples in the field of play, not the indolence of the young man who adorns his head with Maria Moñito's braids…
Per Vené, the Phillies and manager Gabe Kapler believe Machado would not be a good example for the organization's young infielders, such as J.P. Crawford and Scott Kingery.
While signing both Harper and Machado would be great, perhaps the club instead prioritizes signing Harper, a top-of-the-line starter in Corbin, and other supplemental additions.
