While the Dodgers and Yankees are just now avoiding the luxury tax

Luis Severino Jersey , the Phillies have been avoiding it for several years as they've sought to rebuild following the collapse of the Chase Utley-, Jimmy Rollins- and Ryan Howard-led era.Even after taking their first steps out of their rebuild with a $135 million investment in Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana last winter, the Phillies only opened 2018 with a $95.3 million payroll. As of now, they barely have more money ($68.9 million) committed to 2019 than the Cincinnati Reds ($68.6 million).These figures amount to loose change for a franchise that peaked with $183.5 million in payroll expenses in 2014. And that was two yearsbefore their $2.5 billionTV contract kicked in.Beyond the money needed to sign Harper, 25, and Machado, 26, the Phillies have something else that's kinda-sorta-very important: a strong need for them on the field.The team's return to contention in 2018 has hit a wall in part because its offense has run out of gas. Amid Philadelphia's 15-29 stretch since August 6, it's mustered only a .691 OPS and 3.9 runs per game.The beginnings of a strong offense are there, Santana, Rhys Hoskins, Maikel Franco and Odubel Herrera. What the Phillies lack are big boppers to tie it all together.That's where Harper and Machado would come in. The latter is working on a career-best .908 OPS with 37 home runs. Even in a down year, Harper has an .885 OPS and 34 homers. His pinnacle, of course http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-giancarlo-stanton-jersey , was his 2015 National League MVP season in which he had one of the greatest offensive yearsever.Adding both Harper and Machado would be a hell of a way for the Phillies to close the gap between themselves and the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. And the chance to chase rings could be just as important in luring Harper and Machado as the money.To boot, each might like the idea of hitting at Citizens Bank Park.No other National League stadium is more friendly to home run hitters than the Phillies' home turf. That should be of interest to Harper and Machado.To wit, consider how the non-homer fly balls and line drives they've hit at home would have fared in Philadelphia:Image courtesy of BaseballSavant.MLB.comImage courtesy of BaseballSavant.MLB.comExtra power is a nice enough thing in its own right. But in this case, it could prove to be an avenue to even greater riches for both players.Although both are sure to sign long-term contracts (say, 10 years or so) this winter, they're young enough to command early opt-outs through which they could re-enter the open market while still in their primes. A few 40-homer seasons in Philadelphia would only enhance the viability of such opt-outs.The Dodgers can't offer Harper and Machado a similarly hitter-friendly ballpark to hit in. The Yankees can, although theirs skews more friendly to Harper because of its short right field porch. Besides, the Yankees might take the presence of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Miguel Andujar as a cue to spend on free agents they actually need.If all these factors result in Harper and Machado doing an NBA-style team-up and transforming the Phillies into legitimate World Series contenders, one question must ultimately be asked:Is this, you know,good for baseball?Patrick McDermott/Getty ImagesWhether superteams are good for the National Basketball Association is a subject of much debate. Sure, the hype they generate is a positive. But is the parity they kill an equal or greater negative?There might be a similar debate in the baseball world if the Phillies drop hundreds of millions of dollars to sign the two best players on the free-agent market. However, it'll be harder to come down on the negative than it is in the NBA superteam debate.Baseball and basketball are different beasts. In basketball Aaron Judge Jersey , one or two superstars can make a world of difference. In baseball, less so. There are 25 men on a team, and even the best can only do so much to create wins. Shohei Ohtani aside, great hitters can't pitch, and great pitchers can't hit.It's also clear by now that there isn't a 1-1 correlation between money spent and success achieved. Despite spendingbillions, the Yankees havewon a single World Series since 2001. The Dodgers have spent over $1 billion just since 2013, and it's earned them only one trip to the World Series.Such is life in an era in which MLB contenders are built more on the backs of cheap homegrown stars than on pricey free agents. It's an effective and efficient model, albeit one with an ominous dark side: players aren't getting as big a slice of the pie as they used to.Therein lies a potential benefit of the Phillies signing Harper and Machado. If they give both players record-setting deals, perhaps the MLB Players Association won't be angling for war with the league in the next round of collective bargaining talks. Or, at least, not a war big and nasty enough to force a work stoppage.This is not to suggest that everybody should start rooting for Harper and Machado to go to Philadelphia. It's merely something to watch out for and to not be afraid of.Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and Baseball Savant. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jake Lamb is tired of being asked about his move across the diamond. He’s just ready to get the regular season going.After five big league seasons as a third baseman, Lamb is set to start the season at first base, a spot vacated when All-Star Paul Goldschmidt was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals over the offseason. Eduardo Escobar was deemed a better option at the hot corner Gleyber Torres Jersey , and Lamb’s position switch will keep his bat in the lineup.“I’m ready to go. Ready to get the season going and start off on a good note,” Lamb said.Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo earlier in the week said Lamb will be the everyday first baseman this season. Lamb has struggled against left-handers throughout his career, but he hits for power and drives in runs when healthy.Lamb played just 56 games in 2018, his season shortened by a shoulder injury. He was an All-Star in 2017.But he’s rarely played first base before this spring. He appeared in eight games there in 2015, and that’s it.“The glove, the positioning, the speed of the game, being locked in on every play,” he said of the hardest part of the move at the beginning. “But I’m getting the hang of it.”Spring training has been Lamb’s time to get action at first base in games, though he missed a few days with back tightness and got Friday and Saturday off from games. Lovullo likes what he’s seen, though he acknowledged the switch it isn’t an easy thing to do.“He’s getting more comfortable standing in different spots,” Lovullo said. “We do a lot of over-shifting, so getting in and around the bag is one part of being a first baseman. But getting into an extreme over-shift position and then getting to first base and covering the bag, getting your feet organized Tyler Austin Jersey , that’s been an adjustment for him, but he’s done an extremely good job of that.”Lamb worked out with Goldschmidt in the offseason, asking questions of his former teammate and getting an introduction into the key points of playing first base.Lamb admitted to not being mentally ready to play first in 2015. He’s in a different place in 2019, having spent the spring working on cutoff plays, relay throws, covering the bag, bunts, pickoff throws and where to be positioned defensively.“You’re just in every play. Third base, you’re not participating in every play,” he said. “It’s fun. I just want to help the team win.”NOTE: RHP Zack Greinke made a lengthy start in a minor league game Saturday, his final tuneup before the season opener Thursday. He’s been named the starter on opening day in Los Angeles. “Should be all right,” he said. “It’s nice. I don’t really care about that stuff. I like pitching a lot so it gives me the best chance at making 33 or 34 starts (this season).”