The offseason clock is ticking, and yet, Major League Baseball's top free agent — Bryce Harper — is still unsigned. Or is he? Here are five reasons to believe Harper has already dotted the "Is" and crossed the "Ts," and why we could expect an announcement to come one day after "Super Bowl Sunday." Update, 1/29: The Show announced that the game's trailer will release on February 5.

Just 12 days remain until the Philadelphia Phillies' spring training truck heads south to Clearwater, Florida, 26 days until the clubs' first Grapefruit League game, and 60 days until Opening Day against the Atlanta Braves.

1. Nature of Quotes Provided to the Media

Over two weeks have passed since Phillies brass met with Harper in Las Vegas. Coming back to late that night into Sunday morning, Phillies Vice President and General Manager Matt Klentak, along with Managing Partner John Middleton, talked to 6abc Action News about Harper's family and community involvement opportunities.

Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler told reporters that he and Harper "really hit it off" at the meeting; Kapler said on MLB Network the two bonded "over stuff like training" and "food."

"[Bryce] loves food and Philadelphia has an incredible food scene, among the best in the country if you ask me," Kapler said. "Yeah, I think we just hit it off; he's an easy guy to talk to. He certainly is especially competitive."

Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins has also recently said he has a "gut feeling" the Phillies will sign either Harper or Manny Machado. Hoskins told reporters in mid-December that it is "probably safe to assume" that he has talked to Harper this offseason.

"It's just more of me offering any look at to what this city's like, what the organization's like, what the clubhouse is like, [and] what Kap is like," Hoskins said. "It's not me offering information to him."

Hoskins added that if Harper wants such "information," however, he has expressed to the six-time All-Star that he is "here for a chat if he wants it," and is "here to help." Hoskins and Harper follow each other on social media.

It is surely a positive sign that the Phillies are publicly talking about food, family, training, and community service opportunities when asked about their negotiations with Harper.

2. MLB The Show Trailer Release

MLB The Show 19, the video game in which Harper is the cover athlete, has to yet to release a trailer. Trailers help generate interest for the game, as well as highlight changes or improvements made to warrant purchase. Sooner or later, a trailer has to come out, and you just have to wonder if The Show and Harper are working together for a big reveal.

Last year, The Show 18's initial trailer release came on February 5 — one day after Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles defeated Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. The game came out exactly 50 days later — March 27.

RELATED | Harper's Decision to Precede MLB The Show Cover Release

MLB The Show 19 will be released on March 26. Exactly 50 days before that date? February 4 — one day after Super Bowl LIII.

The Show could release a trailer on this date and announce Harper's decision, but not necessarily reveal the cover until a later date.

3. Vacation



There is no doubt that this offseason is Harper's most important of his career. Yet, with a little over two weeks until clubs report to spring training, Harper is on vacation with his wife, Kayla, and friends in Park City, Utah.

Yes, Scott Boras handles the heavy negotiations, but if you were Harper, wouldn't you want to enjoy vacation and the last few weeks before spring training — and the rigorous 162-game-plus-long baseball season — without having to worry about a contract? Perhaps such contract is already agreed upon.

4. Padres' Late Pursuit of Machado

The domino effect may have already started to occur, assuming Harper is off the board. Out of nowhere over the past couple of days, the San Diego Padres have strongly emerged in the Machado sweepstakes. The Athletic's Dennis Lin has reported that the Padres are interested in arranging a face-to-face meeting with Machado in Miami.

The Phillies and Chicago White Sox have been considered the favorites, with the New York Yankees' offer reported to be "low," according to Andy Martino of SNY.tv. Reported offers from the White Sox are not necessarily "jaw droppers," either. So, if the Phillies have indeed locked up Harper, they may have backed off on Machado and are instead focused on adding Mike Moustakas, Craig Kimbrel, and/or Dallas Keuchel. This allows for teams on the outside, like the Padres, to jump into Machado discussions.

5. Putting on a 'Show' to Signify Start to Baseball Season

Boras is known to hold off on his top clients from signing until the latter weeks of the offseason. The Phillies' saw that for themselves last offseason, when they signed right-handed starting pitcher Jake Arrieta on March 12.

"Last year, J.D. Martinez went right as spring training was starting. Jake Arrieta was like three weeks into spring training. So, [Boras] has a way of dragging these things along," NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury said on SportsRadio 94 WIP in mid-November.

During his on-air segment on the station, Salisbury said the Winter Meetings occurring in Harper's hometown of Las Vegas may have created atmosphere for him and his agent to put on a "big show."

"There's a 'showman' kind of feel to Bryce Harper. There's a showman feel to Scott Boras," Salisbury said. "I wouldn't put it past them to at least consider a 'big show' in Las Vegas — the kid's hometown. Not saying it's likely, because I think the negotiation will be more complicated than that, but you never know."

Well, Harper clearly did not sign in November, and still has not to this day, with February just days away. Boras and Harper can still put on a "show," or be in the "spotlight," however, by waiting until one day after the National Football League season ends to drop the big news.

That day would be Monday, February 4, when MLB The Show 19 likely will release its first trailer with Harper as its cover athlete.

Update, 1/29: The Show announced that the game's trailer will release on February 5.

Harper and Boras likely would not want to announce their signing before the Super Bowl, only to be overshadowed days later when either the Patriots or Los Angeles Rams win the championship. Harper is a fan of Brady, too, for what it's worth.

So, if Harper does sign on February 4, that would leave exactly four days until "Truck Day," 18 days until the Grapefruit League opener, and 52 days — or seven weeks and three days — until Opening Day.