Maybe, just maybe, Bryce Harper won’t get a dime more than the contract he turned down three-and-a-half months ago from the Washington Nationals.

Perhaps that $300 million won’t be deposited into Manny Machado’s bank account, either. Here we are, only six weeks before the start of spring training, and neither are remotely close to signing.

However, the Chicago White Sox, who along with the Philadelphia Phillies are the only teams to publicly express interest in both players, have formally offered Machado a long-term contract proposal, four persons with direct knowledge of the offer told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke only on the condition of anonymity since they are in the middle of negotiations.

It’s characterized as a serious offer, likely closer to $200 million than $300 million, but not enough to sway Machado to board a flight from Miami to Chicago for a press conference.

The White Sox have yet to make a formal offer for Harper but remain in constant contact, meeting six weeks ago in person with Harper, his wife and agent Scott Boras.

If Machado had his wish, and the offers were relatively close, friends believe he’d choose the New York Yankees, his favorite team growing up. Yet if the Yankees were convinced that Machado was coming their way, they wouldn’t have even bothered with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, signing him to a no-risk insurance policy at the major-league minimum of $550,000, but informing Machado beforehand of their plans.

If Harper had his choice, with the offers being close, friends believe he’d pick the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers may have interest, but haven’t publicly declared they will even make a short-term offer.

If it’s solely about the money with Harper and Machado, it may be between the Phillies and White Sox, with the Phillies prepared to spend “stupid’’ money, in the words of owner John Middleton.

While nothing has yet transpired, at least the landscape is starting to become clear.

The White Sox have expressed serious interest in both, meeting with Harper in Las Vegas and Machado in Chicago. The Phillies hosted Machado before Christmas and are now working to schedule a meeting in Las Vegas with Harper, Phillies GM Matt Klentak said Thursday.

“Manny and his group were great,’’ Klentak said. “It was an opportunity for us to talk to Manny about our organization and have him meet a lot of people, and also a chance for him to ask us questions and learn a little more about us.

“I expect the dialogue there will continue.’’

Optimistic?

“Hard to say,’’ Klentak said. “These things take a lot of twists and turns.’’

MORE BASEBALL

The Phillies’ biggest challenge with Harper may be convincing him that while Philadelphia may be one of the toughest baseball markets to play in, he could still be embraced and beloved by fans after spending his career with the rival Nationals.

Really, the X-factor in all of the Harper talks may be the Nationals. They offered a 10-year, $300 million contract on Sept. 26 that included deferred payments that devalue the total to about $284 million or less, two officials with direct knowledge told USA TODAY.

Nationals owner Mark Lerner said that offer is no longer on the table, but it certainly didn’t stop the Nationals from spending five hours with Harper and Boras on Dec. 22, according to The Washington Post.

So unless the Dodgers are playing it awfully coy, or the Chicago Cubs find a taker for Jason Heyward or Yu Darvish, there are only three teams involved in the bidding, or four, if the Nationals jump back in the mix for Harper.

That’s it. Three teams in; at least 26 are out.

When free agency began, it seemed preordained that Harper would wind up with the Phillies and Machado with the Yankees. Now here we are, and precious little has changed.

Who knows -- maybe the White Sox could become more attractive each day, the Dodgers could feel an urge to add star power or the Phillies could act really crazy by signing both.

All we really know is that this wait could be a doozy. Maybe even into spring training.

“I wouldn’t even venture a guess," Klentak said. “I’m not smart enough to predict what will drive markets.’’

Money will do a whole lot of talking, but until it reaches historic proportions, the wait goes on.

Follow Nightengale on Twitter @Bnightengale