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It's fair to say the 2018 season has not played out ashoped for Bryce Harper on a number of levels.On an individual level Lance Lynn Jersey , his numbers are down across the board from his standout 2017 level of production:2017:492 PA, .319/.413/.595, 29 HR, 87 RBI, 4.7 WAR2018:490 PA, .234/.378/.501, 28 HR, 71 RBI, 1.0 WAROn a team level, the Washington Nationals have limped along to a 58-56 record, leaving them third in the NL East standings and in danger of missing the postseason after they entered the year with lofty expectations.That being said, Harper is still a 25-year-old superstar with six All-Star appearances and an NL MVP award under his belt.He's also hitting .367/.457/.767 with three doubles, three home runs and seven RBI in 35 plate appearances in August, and starting to look more like the impact slugger we've seen in recent seasons.So where does that leave his free-agent stock?Buster Olney of ESPN offered up his take:"Since Harper began his career, there has been an expectation that he would approach a record-setting contract in free agency. But some executives wonder if Harper鈥檚 2018 struggles continue, a better option could be to take a shorter-term deal with an opt-out, to give Harper a mulligan and another launch year; after all, Harper is only 25 years old. 'That could work for him Mark McGwire Jersey , and for the Nationals,' one evaluator said."That could conceivably increase the chances of him returning to the Nationals.Executives from others teams speculated to Olney: "Adown year for Harper could increase the chances he returns to the Nationals鈥攂ecause they understand Harper more than other teams and understand that in those periods when he eases the paralytic pressure he places on himself, he is a dynamic force."The Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and all the other big-market teams capable of offering up the massive contract that's been speculated for years will still be in the mix.Prediction:Nationals re-sign Harper to a three-year, $120 million deal that includes an opt-out after 2019 and 2020.Manny MachadoJayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Dodgers landed the biggest trade chip on the market when they acquired Manny Machado from the Baltimore Orioles for a package of prospects built around toolsy outfielder Yusniel Diaz.There's no guarantee he's anything more than a rental, though.In fact, with Corey Seager expected to return at the start of next season and Justin Turner hopefully putting this season's injury woes in the rearview, an argument can be made that Machado doesn't fit into the team's long-term plans even if he was interested in sticking around.So where will the 26-year-old slugger land?The Philadelphia Phillies were one of the other teams that were hot on his trail before he was traded to the Dodgers, with Jayson Stark of MLB Network noting that the Baltimore front office did some extensive scouting on a number of the top prospects in the Philadelphia system.Even after signing Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana last offseason, the Phillies payroll still stands at just over $102 million. That's 23rd in the majors, according to Spotrac.Compare that to the 2014 season, when the Phillies ranked third in baseball with a payroll over $175 million, and it's clear they have the resources to offer up the megadeal that Machado will be seeking.If there's a dark horse in the race to land Machado, it might be the Miami Marlins, as Ely Sussman of SBNation speculated.Machado grew up in the Miami area, and the Marlins have plenty of money to spend after slashing payroll this past offseason. While replacing the contract of Giancarlo Stanton with another massive long-term deal for Machado might seem like a contradictory move, Machado is two years younger and doesn't have the same injury history as Stanton.Prediction:Phillies sign Machado to an eight-year http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , $304 million deal.Josh DonaldsonTom Szczerbowski/Getty ImagesOh, what could have been for both Josh Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays.Donaldson was one of baseball's truly elite players from 2013 to 2017. During that span, he racked up an impressive 31.3 WARwhile taking home 2015 AL MVP honors and finishing in the top five in the voting two other times.Even in an injury-plagued 2017 campaign, he still posted a 147 OPS+ with 33 home runs in 113 games en route to a 4.8 WAR season.Unfortunately, he's been unable to shake a nagging calf injury this season that has been sidelined since May 28. He's played in just 36 games and was hitting a less-than-stellar .234 with a 107 OPS+ at the time of the injury.As a result, he likely cost himself a good chunk of change on the free-agent market, while simultaneously costing the Blue Jays an incredibly valuable trade chip.There's still a chance he returns healthy before the Aug. 31 waiver-trade deadline and shows enough that the Blue Jays are willing to flip him for a decent return.General manager Ross Atkins told reporters that the team had "a lot of discussions" about Donaldson leading up to the deadline. So it stands to reason that if he can get back on the field, interest would only increase.If they don't find an offer to their liking, a qualifying offer is a given and the Blue Jays would then be able to recoup some prospect talent through the draft.But might Donaldson consider accepting the offer?The 32-year-old is making $23 million this season, and the qualifying offer last season was worth $17.4 million, so it would likely mean a marginal pay cut.However, it would give Donaldson a chance to rebuild his value without rolling the dice on a free-agent market that has been wildly unpredictable in recent years.Otherwise, he might be inclined to settle for a one-year deal with a second-year player option, which would be an attractive roll of the dice for more than a few teams.Prediction:Indians sign Donaldson to a two-year, $50 million deal that includes an opt-out after 2019.Other Notable Free-Agent Hitters:IF Asdrubal Cabrera (PHI), DH Nelson Cruz (SEA), 2B Brian Dozier (MIN),C Yasmani Grandal (LAD) http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , CF Adam Jones (BAL), 2B Jed Lowrie (OAK), RF Nick Markakis (ATL), CF A.J. Pollock (ARI), C Wilson Ramos (PHI)All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted. Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesAs the Boston Red Sox have jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 World Series, J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts have emerged as the favorites to take home the Fall Classic's MVP honors.Martinez and Betts lead the field, with Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi following closely behind, per OddsShark:OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win #WorldSeries MVP (5Dimes):Martinez +250Betts +300Benintendi +400Bogaerts +1000Price +1500Bradley Jr. +2000Devers/Machado +2500Kimbrel +3000Puig +3500Turner +4000Kemp/Muncy +5000Porcello/Bellinger +5000Sale/Vazquez +5000Kershaw +10000No real surprises there.Betts has helped set the table for Martinez and Co. The Boston leadoff hitter is 4-for-8 with a walk, a double, a stolen base and three runs scored.Hitting at the top of the lineup means his focus is on getting on base rather than power numbers鈥攁nd he has proven very valuable in that regard thus far.Martinez has been showing he is worth every penny of the five-year, $110 million contract he signed last offseason by following up a spectacular regular season with a strong start to the World Series. Through the first two games, the slugger is 3-for-7 with one walk, four RBI and a double.His series has been highlighted by a clutch go-ahead hit in Game 2:It's important to note that Martinez is currently dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in Game 1. PerESPN, Boston skipper Alex Cora would not commit to Martinez being in the lineup on Friday. Then again, losing the designated hitter could also affect the World Series MVP chase. Betts may shift to the infield and play second base to clear room in the outfield for Martinez if the slugger is healthy.Both Martinez (.330 average, 43 home runs and 130 RBI) and Betts (.346 average, .438 on-base percentage Paul DeJong Jersey , 32 home runs and 80 RBI) are in the mix for the American League MVP award this season as well.Benintendi has gone 4-for-8 with one walk, one double and one RBI (and an impressive catch) through the first two games, and 2018 ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr. has been unable to carry over his momentum from the previous series, going just 1-for-7 against Los Angeles so far.David Price (+1500) comes in at fifth after throwing six innings of three-hit, shutout baseball in a 4-2 victory in Game 2. Entering the 2018 postseason, he faced long odds to be considered for the award, given his teams lost each of his first 10 career postseason starts. However, he is 2-0 in his last three starts this postseason, with Boston winning all three games.There are six Red Sox players on the list before the first Dodger shows up, with Manny Machado coming in at +2500. The midseason acquisition is just 2-for-7 in the series, but he leads Los Angeles with three RBI.Los Angeles first baseman David Freese was named the 2011 World Series MVP after playing the role of hero for the St. Louis Cardinals. He has once again shown up on baseball's biggest stage, leading his team with a .600 average (3-for-5).Of course, a series never truly gets underway until the road team wins a game. Boston successfully protected home-field advantage at Fenway Park, and now, the series shifts to Dodger Stadium. That means the pursuit of the World Series and of the MVP award will be taken up a notch.