MLB Rumors: Phillies, Yankees Interested In Same Free Agents Besides Just Machado, Harper

The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to make plays for both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. The New York Yankees might be the most logical destination for Machado, and it might even be a mistake to completely discount them as suitors for Harper. Both teams, however, are looking to spend money on big names other than the two superstar hitters.

Philadelphia and New York are eying the top free-agent pitchers on the market. The Yankees have been linked to Patrick Corbin for weeks, and the team is considering bringing back J.A. Happ. The Phillies are reportedly interested in both starters, as well as Nathan Eovaldi.

According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the Phillies won’t necessarily wait on Harper and Machado to make a move on pitching. Philadelphia could make a play for top starting pitchers or relievers before the star position players make their final decisions.

Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has indicated New York could sign two of the best free-agent starters on the market. The team has already acquired James Paxton from the Seattle Mariners as they look to boost the rotation.

Going after Harper and Machado won’t preclude the Phillies from handing out other lucrative contracts. The team might have more money to spend than any MLB team this offseason.

The Los Angeles Angels are also interested in Happ and Nathan Eovaldi, according to Morosi, though it’s unknown if either pitcher has a desire to play for L.A.

Corbin finished fifth in the 2018 NL Cy Young race while going with 11-7 with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Happ posted a 3.65 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP with 193 strikeouts in 177.2 innings for the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

Eovaldi had a 3.81 ERA in 111 regular-season innings. He had a 1.61 ERA in 22.1 playoff innings for the Boston Red Sox.