Are Padres the 'Mystery Team' in Harper/Machado chase?

Could the San Diego Padres be the so-called "Mystery Team" in the Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sweepstakes? The process for the star free agents has been a slow one this offseason, and neither Harper nor Machado have seemed all that eager to sign with the reported top pursuers, namely the Philadelphia Phillies or Chicago White Sox.

That has led to numerous hints that there is a mystery team involved in the process. Now, there is word from MLB Network's Jon Heyman that the Padres have at least touched base with the camps of Harper and Machado as well as Mike Moustakas and Marwin Gonzalez. "Not sure if it qualifies them for "Mystery Team" status, but the Padres have checked in w/ Machado, Moustakas, Marwin and yes, Harper," Heyman said on Twitter. "Their plan is to shoot for 2020, and no word yet they've made offers to any of the 4, but they could move up the timetable with one big buy."

The Padres have been building up their farm system in recent years and haven't posted a winning season since 2010. Nobody currently sees them as a contender in the National League West for 2019 but signing a big-name free agent or two would speed up the timetable.

Just last year, San Diego made a splash by signing free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer to an eight-year, $144 million deal. It certainly would cost more money to land either Harper or Machado. Harper would fit into an outfield led by Wil Myers, and Machado could plug a gap on the left side of the infield.

Machado might have to be willing to play third base if he chooses the Padres. Top-flight shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is on the way and might be ready to make the type of splash Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. made last season. Moustakas would offer a less expensive option at third base and is close with Hosmer, his former teammate on the Kansas City Royals. Gonzalez, who played for Houston last season, can play infield or outfield while swinging a solid bat.

--Field Level Media

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