To most Phillies fans, the thought of Bryce Harper or Manny Machado choosing to sign here is too good to be believed, especially when the Dodgers, Cubs, and Yankees figure to be interested. After all, where did the Sixers get by doing so much flirting with marquee free agents? At last check, neither LeBron James nor Paul George plays his home games in South Philly.
Yet there was Bovada, one day after the World Series ended, installing the Phillies, of all teams, as the favorite to reel in Harper (even money) and Machado (3-2). Across baseball, rival officials tend to agree.