Bryce Harper, Manny Machado
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The White Sox have extended an offer to Manny Machado and are in contact with Bryce Harper. What does this mean for the New York Yankees?

There are two free agents who stand apart from the crowd: Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. The New York Yankees are quietly lurking and could sign either superstar. In truth, they could sign both, but they won’t.

But while the Yankees remain major players in the Machado and Harper sweepstakes, Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the Chicago White Sox have formally extended an offer to Machado. Nightengale writes:

“It’s characterized as a serious offer, likely closer to $200 million than $300 million, but not enough to sway Machado to board a flight from Miami to Chicago for a press conference.”

The White Sox are making their push for Machado, but Nightengale mentions that friends believe Machado will sign with New York if the offers are in the same ballpark.

Nightengale also mentions that the White Sox are staying in touch with Harper, but they haven’t extended a formal offer to the superstar outfielder. Nightengale’s sources believe that if his offers are close, Harper will ultimately choose the Los Angeles Dodgers—but there’s no indication that the Dodgers are planning on making an offer.

The Phillies are still in the running for Machado or Harper and they’re willing to throw a boatload of money to get their man.

In all likelihood, Machado will sign first and that will help set the market for the rest of the 2019 free agent class.


NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.