Two of the larger questions this offseason are about the eventual landing spots for top two free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. While where they may end up has no clear scope, where one of them may not end up may have just gotten a clear answer.
Jon Heyman, of FanCred Sports, reported that one Mets person said that Machado was not “our type of player” due in no short part to several controversial plays Machado was involved in during the 2018 MLB Postseason. Machado is no stranger to controversial plays, as he was criticized during the 2017 campaign as well for a slide which led to an injury to Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
Machado, 26, hit .297/.367/.538, with a .377 wOBA and 141 wRC+ between the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018.
Heyman also mentions that, while the Mets have shown no formal interest in Harper, they shouldn’t be ruled out just yet. Heyman points out that both Mets owner Jeff Wilpon, as well as new General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen have averted questions regarding Harper. The Mets clearly have a logjam in the outfield including Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Jay Bruce, and the recovering Yoenis Cespedes, but Heyman says that some Mets people acknowledged that while the chances aren’t great, they would not rule it out.
Harper, 26, hit .249/.393/.496 with a .376 wOBA and 135 wRC+ for the Washington Nationals in 2018 in what was seen by some as a down offensive year for Harper. Harper also held a career low in defensive runs saved with -26 between center field (-10 in 447.1 innings) and right field (-16 in 860.2 innings).
