By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
With nearly 70 days remaining until Opening Day, the hot stove is only going to burn hotter until Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sign to what they hope to be record-breaking contracts.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale — who has been among the most heavily involved reporters this offseason regarding the two superstars — joined SportsRadio 94 WIP's evening show on Wednesday to discuss the latest Harper and Machado rumors.
Sticking by his Sunday report that the Phillies are the "clear-cut favorite" to sign Harper, Nightengale said he thinks the club "will blow everybody out, make the biggest offer and sign [Harper], particularly with the Nationals 'out of this thing.'"
"I think Harper is a perfect fit [in Philadelphia], and I think, secretly, the White Sox are hoping the Phillies get him … that way Machado can fall in their lap at their price."
On January 12 Meeting With Bryce and Kayla Harper
Nightengale called the Phillies' meeting last Saturday with Harper, his wife, Kayla, and agent Scott Boras "great," and that the club "came away very, very impressed." Likewise, he said Bryce and Kayla were as impressed with the Phillies.
"It was a wonderful meeting," Nightengale said. "I think there were some reservations about Philadelphia in the past — maybe the way they were treated as a visiting ballplayer — but he was assured, 'as a hometown guy, it's night and day the way you're treated by the fans in the city.'"
Phillies' Competition — or Lack Thereof — for Harper
Nightengale raised a question of who exactly would outbid the Phillies for Harper, considering "everyone knows the money" they have.
"There's been so much talk about the Nationals, [but they] are making it pretty clear that they're not in this thing," Nightengale said. "[Harper] turned down $300 million, and they spent $190 million since."
"They're not going to sit around and see if he takes their offer or not. The money they offered isn't there [now]."
Filling in Other Needed Pieces
On Tuesday, Nightengale reported that according to Phillies executives, the club "has visions" to sign Harper, southpaw starter Dallas Keuchel, and top-of-the-line closer Craig Kimbrel.
Nightengale told SportsRadio 94 WIP on Wednesday that while the Phillies could feasibly sign both Harper and Machado, it is "more realistic" to sign one of the two big guys, and then "fill in the other pieces."
"They can use another starter — Keuchel is out there [and] is also represented by Scott Boras," Nightengale said. "Kimbrel — you signed David Robertson, and you don't have to have Kimbrel, but why not build a 'super bullpen,' just like the Yankees and their three closers?"
"That's why they don't plan on stopping just at one player."
Bidding Against Yourself
Nightengale and ESPN's Buster Olney were ridiculed on Wednesday by Machado's agent, in which he claims the two reported on his client "inaccurately" and "recklessly."
Yet, Nightengale stood by his report both on Twitter and on SportsRadio 94 WIP that the White Sox in fact made a seven-year, $175 million offer to Machado "about two weeks ago, and haven't felt the need to alter it and bid against themselves."
"It's an opening offer, and if you're the White Sox, why bid against yourself?" Nightengale said. "If you're the White Sox, why give out a massive offer — eight or nine years and more than $30 million a year — if you have the top offer?"
Nightengale said he "wouldn't be surprised" if the White Sox raised their offer at some point, but they have "already been pretty adamant" that they will not "throw crazy money out there."
"The Yankees said the same thing," Nightengale said. "So, if you don't have any other teams involved except for the Phillies, why bid against yourself?"
Do the Phillies Really Have a Preference?
The Phillies have been long thought to target Machado, and their interest has been publicly shown dating back to last July's trade deadline. Yet, Nightengale said he does not think the Phillies actually have a "real, true preference" between Harper and Machado.
"They like both guys. Both guys would be perfect fits," Nightengale said. "The one thing about Harper I would say, I think he sells more tickets. There's more 'pizzazz,' a little bit like a modern-day Reggie Jackson, where he goes on the road and you either boo him or cheer him; like a polarizing guy."
Nightengale called both Harper and Machado as "fabulous players," so the Phillies "can't go wrong" either way.
"I think when all the talk early on was about the preferences for Machado, I think they thought that Harper's preference was not to come to Philadelphia," Nightengale said. "So, I think that's why that stuff got leaked out … just to protect their own feelings."
