The Padres have decided the tepid waters of the free agent market are right for jumping in headfirst.

General Partner Peter Seidler, General Manager A.J. Preller and manager Andy Green met with free agent Bryce Harper on Thursday night in Las Vegas and expressed their interest in the six-time All-Star outfielder.

Sources earlier in the day characterized the foray as something of extended due diligence. But a source familiar with what happened Thursday night said the Padres were extremely prepared and seemed sincere about wooing the 26-year-old Harper.

It still is not known how good the Padres’ chances are to sign the player who will likely command a deal worth around $30 million a year.


The team also recently commenced pursuit of free agent third baseman Manny Machado, who will likely sign for nearly as much as Harper.

Where Machado, who is also 26, plays the spot of the Padres’ greatest positional need, Harper plays right field, the position at which the Padres are deepest.

One of the draws to Harper, in addition to his prodigious talent, is what some in the organization believe is his advantage in marketability as the face of the franchise.

There is no doubt both players, unsigned with less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, represent a rare opportunity to land one of the game’s top players in the middle of their expected prime.


The players at the top of this year’s free agent class are for a second straight offseason not finding the aggressive courting for their services that was expected. The stagnation lured the Padres into the pursuit for Machado and Harper.

Their first real contact with Machado’s agent was a little more than a week ago.

They had done a certain amount of investigation on both players as a matter of preparation, but until recently they had virtually no thoughts of actually getting in on the bidding.

Whether they actually do make a bid for either remains to be seen, and several people both inside and outside the organization believe the Padres remain longshots to land either one.


The White Sox, Phillies and Nationals (his team of the past six seasons) are reportedly the leading contenders for Harper.

The Phillies and White Sox are also believed to be leaders in the Machado chase.

However, the Padres have at least signaled they can’t be counted out.

Last year, the team signed Eric Hosmer the day before their full squad was due to report to spring training.


Hosmer and Harper are both represented by agent Scott Boras, whose relationship with the Padres has improved drastically in recent years under the current ownership group. Boras also represents some of the organization’s top minor league prospects.

The Padres’ offseason plans have taken some turns the last couple months, which cannot be considered all that unexpected. Members of the front office have long explained their personnel plans have multiple subsets and contingencies. And every time course is altered, new subsets and contingencies come into focus.

The team expected to be active this winter, particularly in the trade market. In the course of talks with other teams, however, the Padres shifted to an expectation they would keep most of their young core at least through the first couple months of the season.

While they have not stopped talking with other teams, they shifted to the free agent market in search of a third baseman. Their interest centers on Machado, Mike Moustakas and Marwin Gonzalez. Boras represent Moustakas and Gonzalez as well.


Should the Padres acquire Harper, it would almost certainly necessitate a renewed effort to move Hunter Renfroe or Franmil Reyes, who play the corner outfield spots. It could also be the impetus for a trade of Wil Myers, who is moving back to the outfield from third base this season.


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kevin.acee@sduniontribune.com

UPDATES:

10:20 a.m.: This story was updated with more information regarding the Padres’ offseason.


4:05 p.m.: This story was updated with further reporting.

9 p.m.: This story was updated with news of meeting.