The sweepstakes to land superstar free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper are reportedly intensifying, with the Philadelphia Phillies tabbed as the favorites, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
While no deal is imminent, Heyman reports that Harper has multiple long-term offers for more than $30 million a year. Harper is still speaking with other teams aside from Philadelphia, and the Phillies also remain interested in fellow free agent Manny Machado, according to Heyman.
Harper met with the Phillies during a tour of potential suitors in early January, but nothing materialized. The 26-year-old recently spoke to the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres, with both teams expressing late-offseason interest.
The 2015 National League MVP, Harper has also drawn different levels of interest from the New York Yankees and his former team, the Washington Nationals. The 2010 first overall pick and six-time All-Star owns a career .900 OPS.
If the Phillies finalize a deal with Harper, it would be the latest signing in a monumental offseason for a club that's already added Andrew McCutchen and David Robertson via free agency, and J.T. Realmuto and Jean Segura through trades.
Earlier on Sunday, David P. Samson, the former president of the Miami Marlins, tweeted that rumors were spreading about the Phillies and Harper nearing a 10-year, $310-million agreement.
