By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
While the Philadelphia Phillies look to add to their roster for the short-term this season ahead of next week's non-waiver trade deadline, the club reportedly continues to keep a close eye on impending free agent shortstop, Manny Machado.
Machado, 26, was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers last week as a rental fill-in for injured shortstop Corey Seager (Tommy John surgery), but all signs point to the four-time All-Star entering free agency for the first time of his seven-year career come October.
The Phillies are reportedly prepared to offer "the biggest pile of money" to Machado in the offseason, according to The Athletic's Jayson Stark Monday morning on 97.5 The Fanatic. "I think it's going to come down to the biggest pile of money. You never know what the rest of the landscape will look like."
Read: Report: Phillies, Middleton to Pursue Signing Both Harper, Machado
The New York Yankees have been speculated as the Phillies' biggest competitor to sign Machado in the offseason, and they surely are known to offer superstar free agents high-salary contracts. However, with shortstop Didi Gregorius under contract through next season, and third baseman Miguel Andujar through 2023, there is not a "dire" need for the Yankees to acquire a left-side infielder.
"I know people speculated about the Yankees … if you look at the Yankees' recent history … look at the way that they've distributed payroll, I just don't think that's the team looking to spend $300 million on anybody. I don't think that scares the Phillies," Stark said. "Manny Machado wants to play short. The Yankees are set at short. They would be interested in him if he would play third, because they could then move Andujar across the diamond or even trade him."
Greg Bird is the Yankees current everyday first baseman, but is slashing an underwhelming .223/.324/.783 this season with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 148 at-bats.
"[Being] somebody who spent an hour with Manny Machado last Monday, he wants to be a shortstop," Stark said.
Machado and the Dodgers will open a three-game set against the Phillies Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
