Rob Carr/Getty ImagesThe Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly likely to be major players in the free-agent market during the upcoming offseason.According to Jon Heyman of Fancred Alan Trammell Jersey , the Phillies are "expected to go hard" after Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado once they hit the open market.Heyman noted that while Harper is unlikely to be traded prior to Tuesday's non-waiver deadline, the Phillies are viewed as a team that should consider making a run at him due to their reported interest in signing him during the offseason.Per ESPN'sTim Kurkjian, the Nats are exploring Harper's trade value since they trail the Phils by 5.5 games in the NL East.Machado was already moved http://www.tigersfanproshop.com/authentic-al-kaline-jersey , as the Baltimore Orioles dealt him to the Dodgers on July 18 for a package of five prospects.The 25-year-old Harper has had an up-and-down year, as he is hitting just .220 but has 25 home runs and 62 RBI.He was named an All-Star for the sixth time this season, and he won the National League MVP Award in 2015 when he slammed a career-high 42 homers.Machado Lance Parrish Jersey , 26, is in the midst of his best MLB season.The four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner is hitting .314 with 26 home runs and 70 RBI split between the O's and Dodgers.Harper and Machado are set to become two of the most highly sought free agents in recent memory provided they don't re-sign prior to the offseason.The Phillies are ahead of schedule in their rebuild, as they own a 58-48 record http://www.tigersfanproshop.com/authentic-omar-infante-jersey , which is good for a half-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.Due to the Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks' strong records, the Phils are just percentage points ahead when it comes to a wild-card spot, however.Trading for Harper would be a significant risk since he could leave during free agency for nothing http://www.tigersfanproshop.com/authentic-travis-wood-jersey , but it is also a move that could make the Phillies true World Series contenders this offseason.If they opt against making a deal for Harper, the Phillies can still accelerate their rebuild even more and potentially become an elite team should they land Harper and/or Machado prior to the 2019 campaign. NEW YORK (AP) — The Major League Baseball Players Association has hired longtime sports law attorney and litigator Bruce Meyer as senior director of collective bargaining and legal.Meyer will focus on negotiation and enforcement of the collective bargaining agreement and report to MLBPA executive director Tony Clark, who announced the hire Monday. Meyer has advised players’ unions in basketball Jordan Zimmermann Jersey , football and hockey, most recently working the past two years under former MLBPA executive director Don Fehr with the NHL Players’ Association.Baseball’s current collective bargaining agreement went into effect in 2017 and runs until December 2021. Clark says Meyer’s decades of protecting and advancing player rights makes him uniquely qualified for the role.Fehr thanked Meyer for serving the NHLPA. The NHL or NHLPA can reopen CBA talks in September 2019.