Manny Machado Rumors: White Sox Offer 8-Year Contract; Phillies Still in the Mix

Only a few teams are apparently still in the running for Manny Machado, although the Chicago White Sox have an offer for an eight-year deal on the table for the free-agent shortstop, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

However, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the White Sox offer hasn't risen above a seven-year deal.

The Philadelphia Phillies are still engaged with Machado as well, while a third mystery team is also in the hunt.

Both the White Sox and the Phillies have been targeting him throughout the offseason, while each has used personal relationships to try to sway the four-time All-Star.

Philadelphia recently hired former Baltimore Orioles third base coach Bobby Dickerson, who, as Matt Gelb of The Athletic noted, is a mentor to Machado. The two worked together from the time Machado was drafted in 2010 until he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Additionally, Chicago signed outfielder Jon Jay, who, along with Yonder Alonso, grew up with Machado in Miami and remains good friends with him, per Nightengale.

Still, it could all come down to the length and money on the contract.

Though all the offers aren't yet known, the White Sox are clearly serious about this pursuit based on the eight-year deal, which would be the longest the organization has ever given out.

Meanwhile, both teams are reportedly also in pursuit of free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper.