Report: Phillies to pursue major FAs before Harper, Machado make decisions

The Philadelphia Phillies appear to be major players involved in the Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sweepstakes, but before those are resolved they might make some other significant additions.

Philadelphia is signaling they could sign major free agents before Harper and Machado make their decisions, sources told MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

Among the players that Philadelphia is reportedly considering are pitchers Patrick Corbin, Nathan Eovaldi, and J.A. Happ, closers Craig Kimbrel and Zach Britton, and outfielders Michael Brantley and A.J. Pollock.

The Phillies are taking this approach in case they fail to land either of the offseason's biggest free agents in Harper and Machado, sources told Morosi.

Phillies managing partner John Middleton said earlier this month that the club is prepared to spend this offseason and might "even be a little bit stupid about it."

They have less than $70 million committed to players in 2019 - pending arbitration figures - and have been linked to a number of the aforementioned players over the past month.

The Phillies have also surfaced in trade rumors, recently showing reported interest in acquiring Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz.