Report: Padres not ruling out Harper after Machado signing
The San Diego Padres are not ruling out the idea of signing free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper after reportedly agreeing to a deal with Manny Machado on Tuesday, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
San Diego has reportedly landed Machado on a 10-year, $300-million deal and could still have room for Harper, who is believed to be seeking a contract of even greater value.
With Machado aboard, the Padres' payroll would be about $110 million, according to Heyman.
Some of the other teams reportedly interested in acquiring Harper were also linked to Machado, including the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox.
Harper's former team, the Washington Nationals, have reportedly made the 26-year-old an offer north of $300 million.
Adding Harper alongside Machado would give the Padres two of MLB's most marketable players to go along with Eric Hosmer and one of baseball's top farm systems.
Harper is coming off a 2018 campaign in which he recorded a .249/.393/.496 slash line with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs.
The six-time All-Star was named National League MVP in 2015 and won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2012.