When it comes to Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, the Padres did not qualify as a mystery team until recently. Now, their interest in at least one of the two free agents is no secret.



The Padres have done background work on both Machado and Harper, according to major-league sources. They have checked in with their representatives, as first reported by FanCred’s Jon Heyman. And while they are more likely to spend big next offseason than they are this one, they are not ruling out a run at Machado or Harper at the right price, sources said.



Machado, who would address a glaring positional need, appears to have moved to the forefront. The Padres have expressed interest in arranging a meeting with the third baseman, possibly in Miami, sources said Saturday. Team officials would like to get some face time before becoming more involved with the free agent.



Other potential suitors — teams with higher revenues and better rosters than the Padres —...