CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies have been the favorites in the Bryce Harper sweepstakes for months, and that speculation heated up over the weekend.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Sunday afternoon that negotiations between the Phillies and Harper "appear to be intensifying." Sources told MLB.com that while the Phillies and Harper's agent Scott Boras have been talking recently and making progress, nothing is imminent. Heyman said that interested teams like the Padres, Giants and White Sox have not been told they are out of the running, also indicating that nothing is close.
The Phillies have been pursuing both Harper and Manny Machado since the beginning of the offseason.