Latest on trade talks involving Cesar Hernandez, Maikel Franco

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CARLSBAD, Calif. — Notes, quotes and observations as baseball’s annual general managers meetings come to a close and what promises to be a busy, newsy Phillies offseason heats up.

Will Carlos Santana be traded?

Do the Phillies have less competition for Bryce Harper than initially thought?

Will the Phillies land the reliever they wanted at the trade deadline?

Second baseman Cesar Hernandez is available, but the Phillies’ stance is similar to what it was the last two offseasons: They won’t give him away and will hang on to him if they don't receive value.

Meanwhile, third baseman Maikel Franco is pretty much a sure bet to be traded, and he knows that. According to sources, there is a deal to be made with San Diego. The Padres have long liked Franco, who finished first in batting average (.270), second in OPS (.780) and third in homers (22) for the Phillies in 2018.

What about Machado?

In addition to Bryce Harper, the Phillies are on free-agent Manny Machado. But what if they don't sign Machado? Who is the opening day shortstop?

“It would be (Scott) Kingery or (J.P.) Crawford,” GM Matt Klentak said. “I think both of them can do it. Our staff believes that if we ask Kingery to be our shortstop next year that he can be damn good one. We also think he can be a damn good second baseman and we know that he can play a variety of positions and can be valuable in a super-utility role.”

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