Manny Machado is 26, a sublime talent who forgets to run out a ground ball now and again but finished in the top-six among position players for Wins Above Replacement three times since entering the league.
He can anchor third base, the position of need for the Padres, for a very long time.
Bryce Harper, also 26, is a former MVP who is so dangerous offensively that a season with 100 RBI, 130 walks and .889 OPS can be characterized by multiple outlets as a “slump.”
He’s the less savvy option for San Diego, because he’ll cost more and primarily plays right field — the team’s deepest position.
