By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Three-fourths of the 2019 Philadelphia Phillies infield could be entirely different than that of the 2018 season's.
Along with Manny Machado reportedly believed to sign with the Phillies, per "several" Major League executives — and the Phillies reportedly shopping first baseman Carlos Santana — the club has also been heavily involved in recent discussions to acquire shortstop Jean Segura from the Seattle Mariners.
RELATED | Report: Phillies Could 'Out-Boss' Yankees, 'Destined' to Sign Multiple Top Free Agents
Machado is a four-time All-Star, while Segura is a two-time All-Star. The Phillies are taking the 76ers' "star hunting" approach to a whole new level.
NBC Sports Philadephia's Jim Salisbury writes that the Phillies "remain committed" to pursuing Machado, with the "hope of playing him at third base should they be able to land Segura."
Machado has played both third base and shortstop in his career. Though he enjoys playing shortstop and has said he'd like to stay there, he is a much better third baseman, elite by some standards.
Can the Phillies sell Machado on this idea? Time will tell. The winter meetings begin next weekend in Las Vegas and industry activity is expected to ramp up as they approach.
If all goes to plan, a Maikel Franco–Scott Kingery–Cesar Hernandez-Santana 2018 infield could turn into a Machado-Segura-Kingery-Rhys Hoskins combination in 2019. Of course, other infielders would fill in as backup and/or utility roles, and while once top club prospect J.P. Crawford has been in the mix in recent seasons, he may needed to be dealt to Seattle in order for the Phillies to acquire Segura. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Mariners have shown interest in Crawford as "one piece" in the potential Segura trade with the Phillies.
RELATED | Report: Several Executives Believe Phillies Will Sign Machado
Machado has made it known he would like to play shortstop, despite his Gold Glove-caliber defensive play at the hot corner. Perhaps — if reunited with former All-Star and World Baseball Classic teammate Segura in the left side of the infield — Machado would not mind being the Phillies everyday third baseman.
Phillies VP and General Manager Matt Klentak and Mariners Executive VP and General Manager Jerry Dipoto have a deep history which could benefit both clubs this offseason, as they are former colleagues of the Los Angeles Angels organization. While the Phillies lost out on James Paxton to the New York Yankees, it is hard to believe Klentak and Dipoto will not come to terms on a deal involving Segura, at this stage of trade discussions.
As Salisbury writes, the Mariners are selling seemingly every one of their intriguing, talented players, including Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz rumored to be soon headed to the New York Mets:
The Phillies are keenly aware of the Mariners' current tack. They had trade discussions with the Mariners about pitcher James Paxton before he was dealt to the Yankees earlier in the offseason and, according to sources who have confirmed multiple reports, engaged the Mariners about the possibility of acquiring Segura and Diaz in a package deal before Seattle turned its focus to sending Cano and Diaz to the Mets.
The Phillies would still like to acquire Segura, possibly in a package that would include Carlos Santana as well as the young talent that Seattle seeks.
It appears Crawford, and perhaps Santana, are part of the package Klentak and Dipoto are currently discussing. While losing the 23-year-old in Crawford — who cannot enter free agency until 2024 the earliest — would be difficult, a Machado-Segura tandem has the potential to capture Phillies' fans attention for many years, just like Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.
For what it's worth, Segura was in the Angels system under the watch of both Dipoto and Klentak during the 2012 season, before he was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers in July of that year.
Also, the Phillies are still interested in Bryce Harper and Patrick Corbin as well. If all the stars align, this could be a historic offseason like never seen before in professional sports history.
