Flyers
Vegas Odds Put Phillies in the Lead to Land Harper, Machado
Published29 Oct 2018
By Frank Klose, Sports Talk Philly editor 
It’s here. The famous 2018-2019 MLB offseason is finally upon us. This year’s free agent class is loaded with big name players and teams such as the Phillies are salivating over some of them. The two biggest are outfielder Bryce Harper and infielder Manny Machado. Perhaps you were aware that both are free-agents-to-be.
But on this first day of the offseason, new odds were released in Vegas as to where some of the big names will sign. The Phillies found themselves listed as the top favorite to land both Harper and Machado, according to oddsmaker Bovada:
Updated odds for what team Bryce Harper will be on for the first game of the 2019 regular season (@BovadaOfficial): Phillies EVEN Cubs +300 Nationals +400 Giants +750 Yankees +800 Dodgers +850 Red Sox +1500 Angels +1500
— OddsShark (@OddsShark) October 29, 2018
Opening odds for which team Manny Machado will be on for the first game of the 2019 regular season (@BovadaOfficial): Phillies +150 Dodgers +225 Yankees +300 Marlins +800 Angels +900 Braves +1400 Nationals +1400 — OddsShark (@OddsShark) October 29, 2018
Of course, the Phillies will have to get to the finish line. The Phillies have plenty of money to make deals happen.
At times, some have suggested that the Phillies might be able to land both players. In either case, the Phillies would be added a much-needed offensive presence to their lineup that contains slugger Bryce Harper and many young players.
This offseason is a crucial one for the Phillies, who have not been able to develop impact-level talent like those approaching free agency.
One reason Harper and Machado are particularly attractive is their young age. Harper and Machado will hit free agency at age 26, meaning teams might be more likely to sign them long-term
