The Padres have jumped into the tepid free agent market with both feet.
A source confirmed representatives of the team, including general partner Peter Seidler, are scheduled to visit with superstar outfielder Bryce Harper in Las Vegas on Thursday.
This is seen as something of extended due diligence, and it is not thought that the team's pursuit of Harper is as earnest as its continued efforts to land Manny Machado.
Ken Rosenthal first reported the Padres' plans to meet with Harper.
Where Machado can play third base, the Padres' greatest positional need, Harper plays right field, the position at which the Padres are deepest.
Harper, 26, is expected to command around $30 million a year.
The Padres last year signed Eric Hosmer the day before spring training. Hosmer and Harper are both represented by agent Scott Boras, whose relationship with the Padres has improved drastically in recent years, as he also represents some of their top minor league prospects.
The players at the top of this year's free agent class are for a second straight offseason not finding the lucrative action that was expected. The stagnation and potential for a relative steal lured the Padres into the pursuit.
The Padres' offseason plans have taken some turns, which cannot be considered all that unexpected. Members of the front office have long explained their personnel plans have multiple subsets and contingencies. And every time course is altered, new subsets and contingencies come into focus.
The team expected to be active this winter, particularly in the trade market. In the course of talks with other teams, however, the Padres shifted to an expectation they would keep most of their young core at least through the first couple months of the season.
While they have not stopped talking with other teams, they shifted to the free agent market in search of a third baseman. Their interest centers on Machado, Mike Moustakas and Marwin Gonzalez.
Should the Padres acquire Harper, it would almost certainly necessitate a renewed effort to move Hunter Renfroe or Franmil Reyes, who play the corner outfield spots.
