The Cincinnati Reds haven't been big players in free agency, but president of baseball operations Dick Williams says he expects to have "significantly" more spending capacity than he's had in previous offseasons.

"It still only goes so far, unfortunately," Williams added.

Over the past two years, the Reds have spent a total of $15 million.

The Reds have seen their attendance drop and there aren't any significant contracts coming off the books.

Bryce Harper opened up about his upcoming free agency in a lengthy interview with the Washington Post this week, challenging the assumption that he's sure to leave the Washington Nationals.

"I think about other cities, but I love it here," Harper said. "Am I in the plans, you know? I don't know. It's hard to think about, because it's all you know, and then you think about it, it's like, 'Well, it could all be over in a,'" and here, he snapped his fingers, "'a second.' It's kind of crazy."

Harper made it sound as though he isn't looking forward to free agency, which has been assumed for years.

"I've always said: If I'm in those plans, I'd absolutely love to be here," Harper said. "But if I'm not, there's nothing I can do about it. There's nothing I can do. I would love to play next to (Victor) Robles or (Juan) Soto or (Adam) Eaton. I'd love to. But am I in those plans? I have no idea."

Harper, who turns 26 next month, has hit .278/.387/.512 in 922 career games with the Nationals.

The Baltimore Orioles attempted to extend Manny Machado "several years ago," according to a report.

Machado was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July for a package of five players.

At an undisclosed time in the past, the Orioles were prepared to pay Machado $64 million to remain in Baltimore for the next eight years. Multiple people familiar with the negotiations remember that the contract would have represented "by far a record" for a player with that limited service at that point in time.

The Los Angeles Angels are expected to try once again to sign Mike Trout to a lifetime contract this offseason.

The Angels tried to sign Trout to an all-time deal previously, but a compromise was reached in the form of a six-year, $144 million deal that currently runs through 2020.

Trout has been to the postseason just once in seven years.

Elvis Andrus has suggested that he doesn't plan to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract, which would allow him to test free agency this winter.

Andrus said that he is "for sure" coming back to the Texas Rangers next season before walking back a little in his comments.

"For sure, I'm coming back," he said. "Where do you want me to go?"

Asked again about the decision a few seconds later, Andrus said: "I'll take it in the offseason. I have to keep it interesting here."

Andrus is in the middle of the eight-year, $120 million contract he signed before the 2015 season. The contract includes opt-out clauses after this season and again after 2019.

Josh Donaldson's agent has disputed a report that the Toronto Blue Jays offered his client a multiyear extension before trading him to the Cleveland Indians last week.

Jon Heyman of FanCred reported that "contrary to some suggestions out there that they never talked numbers or made an offer, word is the Jays extended an offer for more than the three-year, $75 million deal the Phillies gave to free agent pitcher Jake Arrieta, another major star older than 30. The belief is they were flexible to go at least a bit higher."

Agent Dan Lozano issued a statement denying that the Blue Jays and Donaldson ever engaged in contract talks.

"The fact is that the team never extended an offer to Josh, no years or dollars were ever specifically discussed, and it's unfair to Josh for someone to repeatedly misrepresent his business affairs citing their 'beliefs,'" Lozano said.

The Colorado Rockies have one of baseball's worst bullpens, but Adam Ottavino has excelled with a 2.11 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

He is scheduled to become a free agent this winter, but thus far there have been no talks about a contract that would keep Ottavino with the Rockies.

"Of course, I would love to stay," he said. "But I don't want to play (general manager). I understand what (the Rockies) had to do after last season (by signing Jake McGee, Bryan Shaw and Wade Davis to three-year contracts for a combined $106 million). I don't know that the Rockies plan is going forward, so I'm just trying to finish strong."