MLB Rumors: Bryce Harper to Pick Team This Week Amid Phillies, Dodgers Links

The Bryce Harper sweepstakes may finally be nearing a conclusion.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Monday that Harper "is expected to make his decision by the end of this week."

Harper met with representatives from the Los Angeles Dodgers in Las Vegas on Sunday night, per Nightengale, who added the Philadelphia Phillies "remain the favorite" to sign the six-time All-Star.

ESPN.com's Jeff Passan and Ramona Shelburne reported negotiations between the Dodgers and Harper restarted two weeks ago. According to Passan, Harper is looking to get a contract that extends 10 years or more, but Los Angeles has "long been opposed to very long-term deals."

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported the San Francisco Giants were also in the hunt for the 2015 National League MVP. Like the Dodgers, the Giants prefer a shorter agreement, leaving the Phillies as the only team willing to consider Harper's demand.

This offseason, the lack of spending by MLB teams has been a bigger story than the deals that actually got across the line. The fact that Harper is still available in February attests to how slowly things have materialized for the top-end free agents.

Harper might be able to get his wish, though.

The San Diego Padres signed Manny Machado for 10 years and $300 million and gave him an opt-out after the fifth year. While that wasn't the $400 million deal some thought Machado would receive prior to his free agency, it was the biggest contract ever signed by an MLB free agent.