If the Phillies do end up with Manny Machado by Opening Day 2019, persistence (and likely a record-setting contract) will be a big reason why.
As trade rumors float around Machado and the upcoming MLB trade deadline, expect the Phillies to be involved. But it feels unlikely that a rising team will give up a significant haul for the chance to simply bring Machado in now.
Instead, the Phillies will likely wait for Machado to hit free agency before putting on the full-court press involving money, the organization and a comfortable atmosphere around a slew of front office members, coaches and players the now 25-year-old has known since he was drafted and nurtured by them in Baltimore.