Best bets on who will land Harper, Machado, Kimbrel
Due to the slow free-agent market, we've been given the opportunity in mid-February to place bets on where some of the game's biggest stars will play in 2019. Here, we outline the potential destinations for free agents Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and Craig Kimbrel.
Harper - Philadelphia Phillies (+200)
The Harper saga has been quite a doozy from the start. The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees have quietly been linked to him; other clubs like the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants have made late pushes; even the Washington Nationals made an offer to retain the superstar. With teams trickling in and out of the Harper sweepstakes, the Phillies have been the one constant.
Philly has made some bold moves this winter, landing Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen, and J.T. Realmuto. All that aside, it would be a swing-and-miss by the front office should the Phillies trot out on Opening Day without one of either Harper or Machado. The front office is looking to spend, and there's familiarity for Harper in the NL East. Also, the move to trade for Realmuto in a three-for-one deal with the Miami Marlins could prove to be the final piece of the puzzle in luring him to a contending team on the rise.
Machado - New York Yankees (+200)
There's a notion the Yankees don't have space for Machado after bringing in DJ LeMahieu and Troy Tulowitzki this winter to logjam an infield comprised of Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar, and Didi Gregorius. But, when a player of Machado's caliber enters the fray, it shouldn't stop a franchise - much less the Yankees - from stockpiling talent and figuring out what to do later.
The superstar also reportedly has an interest in playing in pinstripes. The 26-year-old infielder warrants a big-time payday, but there's a good chance he'd be leaving money on the table if he accepted the reported $220-million deal. Still, a competitive offer from New York in this free-agent market could be enough to attract Machado to play for a potential dynasty.
Kimbrel - Atlanta Braves (+200)
The Braves and arguably the best closer of all time coming to terms and reuniting would put the franchise in a position to win the cutthroat NL East for a second consecutive season. Atlanta is built around a core of veterans and a handful of up-and-coming youngsters who contributed in a big way last year. Adding Kimbrel would fill an immediate need and give the Braves a reliable ninth-inning arm.
Meanwhile, it looks like the Boston Red Sox aren't going to be aggressive in re-signing Kimbrel, and the Phillies appear to be spending big on offense. Atlanta, at this point, makes the most sense.
(Props were pulled from both BetOnline and BetDSI. Always shop around for the best numbers.)
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.