Report: Padres pursuing Machado; still in on Harper, Realmuto

The San Diego Padres appear to be players for free agent Manny Machado.

Just a week after reports initially linked the club to the 26-year-old, San Diego's pursuing Machado to play third base and is believed to be a legitimate contender to secure his services, multiple sources told Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Padres are now focused on filling their hole at third base through free agency rather than with a trade, Acee added.

Machado isn't San Diego's lone target, however. The club remains in contact with the Miami Marlins about catcher J.T. Realmuto, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. For the time being, however, the Padres are reportedly insisting on receiving a window to negotiate a contract extension with Realmuto, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

The Marlins have been seeking a top catching prospect in return for Realmuto, having reportedly asked the Dodgers for Keibert Ruiz. Likewise, they're asking the Padres to part with Francisco Mejia in a potential deal, a source told Morosi.

Additionally, the Padres have also done background work on Bryce Harper, sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin.

Although they'd pounce on Machado or Harper if the price is right, the Padres remain a "long shot for a major strike," a source told Rosenthal and Lin.

Machado visited with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies in December.

He appears to have an offer on the table from the White Sox, although the figure has ranged from $175 million to $250 million, according to reports.

The infielder is coming off a career year in which he slashed .297/.367/.538 with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs.

Along with Machado, the Padres reportedly checked in on Harper earlier this week. However, the outfielder could be looking for a deal exceeding the more-than-$300-million offer he reportedly received from the Washington Nationals.

In 159 games last season, Harper crushed 34 homers and recorded 100 RBI while posting an .889 OPS.

Meanwhile, Realmuto has been one of the most talked-about trade options for teams this offseason. The 27-year-old backstop was worth more WAR than any other qualified catcher in MLB during 2018, according to Fangraphs.

The Padres have often been discussed in rumors this offseason, but they've made only two notable additions with the signings of second baseman Ian Kinsler and right-hander Garrett Richards, who's recovering from Tommy John surgery.

San Diego finished last in the National League West in 2018 with a 66-96 record but possesses one of the deepest farm systems in baseball and has first baseman Eric Hosmer on the books for another seven years after he signed last offseason.