The 2017-2018 MLB Winter Meetings are underway in Orlando, Florida.  With all of baseball's leadership assembled in one area around agents and free agent players, much of the offseason's movement occurs during this time.  The Phillies have some work to do this offseason, and the rumor mill is finally firing up.

Here are a few of the rumors and notes coming out of Orlando:

The Phillies have "checked in" on Orioles infielder Manny Machado.

The Phillies expected to go big next offseason after then-free agent infielder Manny Machado.  With one year left of control, it may make baseball sense for the Orioles to trade Machado now, acquiring some value now rather than letting Machado walk as a free agent.     Might the Phillies get involved?

According to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports, teams believe that the Phillies have "checked in" on Machado.  Heyman had previously reported that some teams had "made calls" on Machado.  The Phillies almost certainly will make a run when Machado is a free agent player a year from now.

Former Phillies reliever Pat Neshek for the bullpen?

NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury writes that the Phillies have had internal discussions about trying to bring back reliever Pat Neshek.  The Phillies are looking for veteran bullpen help to pair with some of their young players, so Neshek might make good sense.   Neshek was said to enjoy his time in Philadelphia before his July trade to the Colorado Rockies and he performed well when given the opportunity, so he might make some sense.

Salisbury also suggests Juan Nicasio, who very briefly pitched for the Phillies before a September trade to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Updates on 2017 Phillies Cameron Perkins and Brock Stassi

Former Phillies infielder Brock Stassi has reached a new deal with the Minnesota Twins.  Stassi concluded his rookie contract and became a free agent at season's end.  One of the nice stories out of 2017 Spring Training, Stassi batted just .167 for the big league club in 78 at bats.

Outfielder Cameron Perkins was retained during the pre-Rule 5 draft deadline cuts, but the Phillies have placed him on waivers, according to Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Should Perkins clear, the Phillies can outright him to Triple-A.   The Phillies might like to keep him in the organization.

The Phillies made the same move for infielder Engelb VielmaVielma was claimed in time for the pre-Rule 5 roster deadline as the San Francisco Giants attempted to pass him through waivers to open a spot.  Not much of a prospect, the Phillies probably hoped to claim Vielma and sneak him through waivers.

The Perkins and Vielma moves leave the Phillies roster at 38 players heading into the Winter Meetings, meaning the Phillies could add a player or two without more roster moves.  The Rule 5 draft is Thursday morning and the Phillies are set to pick third.

More From 97.3 ESPN