CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Bryce Harper is the final superstar standing for the Phillies.
The pressure to sign him intensified Tuesday, when they learned that Manny Machado agreed to a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres. The Phillies had pursued Machado since July, when they tried to acquire him before the non-waiver Trade Deadline. They continued that pursuit in the offseason. They hosted Machado and his wife at Citizens Bank Park in December. They made him at least one official offer. But in the end, the club would not beat San Diego's offer for the All-Star third baseman, even though sources indicated for months that they preferred him over Harper.