1. Philadelphia Phillies

If I were a betting man (and I am), I would lay good money on Harper joining Charlie Day and the Paddy’s Pub gang as the face of Philly. According to a source close to Harper, I was told their belief is he will sign with the Philadelphia Phillies when the time comes. It makes sense. Stay in the division, stay the top dog, join a team on the verge of being a contender, and still get the money he is asking for. The Phillies finished 80-82 but floundered down the stretch and finished 22nd in total offense. Odubel Herrera and Rhys Hoskins were their best offensive players with a .255 average and a 34 homers/96 RBI split, respectively.

Not sure if Harper will put them over the hump just yet but the Phillies have one of the top farm systems in baseball. Harper could join them at a perfect time to be the center of the rebuild. Prospects like Alec Bohm and Adam Haseley have them closer to contending than many think. This could energize the fan base and draw them back from the Eagles, who won the Super Bowl this past year but are headed for a first round exit this weekend against the Chicago Bears. Yeah, I said it. The Bears over the Eagles by 13.

To help ease the pain, it’s my belief the Phillies are going to dive right in on Harper and make the deal. As I predicted Oct. 23rd, the Phillies are going to offer more money and years to Harper to sweeten the pot and ink the star. In an offseason that has seen just eight players sign deals three years or longer, the Phillies may be the only team crazy enough to offer a contract over eight years at roughly $35 or more million a year.

Despite landing Manny Machado, @Phillies will still pursue Bryce Harper. They have left their 10 year offer to Harper on the table. #MLBHotStove

— Jeff Evans (@JeffEvansMLB) January 2, 2019

Good info from @JSalisburyNBCS on Phillies planning to go to Las Vegas to meet with Bryce Harper https://t.co/vYb6GFCZDK

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 2, 2019

phillies are in process of setting up a face to face meeting with bryce harper, as @JSalisburyNBCS 1st reported. rival nats are obviously interested in retaining harper. chisox seem like a long shot for harper at moment, but mystery team(s) always possible.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 4, 2019

They have the money. They have the faithful fans. My aforementioned source has known Harper since they were teens so, when they say they believe it’ll be Philly, I trust them. I haven’t wavered on my belief in their analysis and I’m not about to start now. As I stated on this week’s episode of Pinwheels and Ivy, I think Bryce is headed for a special Valentine’s Day bombshell to reveal his new relationship with the City of Brotherly Love.