Bryce Harper Has Inquired About Joining Phillies, Rhys Hoskins Says

Free agent outfielder Bryce Harper has inquired about the prospect of joining the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason.

Harper is expected to command a lucrative, long-term contract and the cash-rich Phillies, along with the Chicago White Sox, are seen as the current favorites to land his signature.

And to excite Philadelphia fans further, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who shares the same agent in Scott Boras with Harper, more or less confirmed he had spoken to him about playing in The City of Brotherly Love. Hoskins was at a press conference introducing Andrew McCutchen as the newest member of the team.

"Probably safe to assume that, yeah," Hoskins said when asked if he was in contact with Harper. "It's just more of me offering any look into what this city is like, what the organization is like, what the clubhouse is like, what [manager Gabe Kapler] is like. It's me offering info to him, if he wants it, and I have expressed to him I'm here to chat if he wants it."

The Phillies have made no secret of their desire to splash the cash this offseason, even to the extent of being "stupid" with their money. But it's not just the money, but also the scope for growth in Philadelphia that makes it an attraction for free agents, according to Hoskins.

"I think winning, the improved season, does that itself," Hoskins explained. "You heard Cutch [Andrew McCutchen] talk, he saw it first hand when he came as a visitor last year. He saw something special was brewing here and I would agree with him. There is a plethora of young talent here."

Meanwhile, the Phillies also want to sign Manny Machado along with Harper. That's according to Jon Heyman of FanCred Sports, who states the White Sox also want to sign both players.

He adds the Phillies have already met with Boras while Machado will meet with them Thursday. However, the chances of either team signing both were "remote", according to Heyman. Machado is the other premier free agent available on the market.

Machado and Harper's future destinations have been the major topic of speculation in recent months, but McCutchen is not as intrigued by it as the rest of the baseball world.

"It's not as exciting for me as it is for everyone else who likes to talk about it," McCutchen said. "Those guys deserve whatever they're gonna get. I am very happy for them, for that, but I don't think too deeply into it."

Regardless, signing just one of those players would help Philadelphia greatly, especially in their quest to win a first World Series since 2008.