With the 2018 MLB offseason underway, soon awaits what should be an action-packed stretch of days or weeks in regards to a star-studded free agent class headlined by Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.
Both Machado and Harper, just entering their primes, are expected to command the two richest contracts in professional sports history. The list of interested suitors for the pair will be aplenty, as many teams are ready to spend after resetting their luxury tax penalties during the regular season.
While the general consensus in recent months was that Harper would sign the most lucrative contract, there appears to have been a change of heart.
In a survey conducted by anonymous MLB executives, an overwhelming amount predicted Machado will land the biggest deal, via Jon Heyman of Fancred:
Of the 18 executives, a hard-to-believe 12 chose Machado, with just six betting on Harper. And two of those who chose Harper to get the bigger contract cited this unusual reason: his agent.
Machado is coming off a career season with the Baltimore Orioles and Dodgers, where he hit a collective .297/.367/.548 with 35 doubles, 37 home runs and 107 RBI in 709 plate appearances (162 games).
It remains to be seen if the Dodgers will seriously consider bringing back Machado, as Corey Seager is set to reprise his starting role at shortstop. Doing so would require one of the two to change positions.
Machado has been most prominently linked to the New York Yankees thus far, as his preference is reportedly to return to the East Coast.
Harper, on the other hand, accumulated his usual productive numbers as well. He slashed .249/.393/.496 with 34 home runs, 100 RBI and an MLB-best 130 walks over 695 plate appearances (159 games).
The Dodgers put in a claim for Harper before the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline, but it was to no avail as the Nationals opted to retain him for the remainder of the regular season.
If Los Angeles misses out on re-signing Machado and insists on making a splash, they can conceivably pivot their efforts to Harper. But with a logjam in the outfield, a fit between both parties appears unlikely at first glance.
