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This place has been something lately. 1.) To the comments about me - I haven't seen any of this just been told of it. Nowhere did I say a specific date Machado would sign or that he would at all. No one can provide proof otherwise because it simply did not happen. If you look at the replies of the tweet in question, I specifically say "not necessarily tomorrow" (Tweet was from Tuesday). I have said I've liked the Sox chances in a bunch of different ways the last 10 days or so. That was when it first went around the Yankees were basically bowing out. 2.) To the the new poster with a negative source. Regardless of what he said, someone posting on the board for the very first time and the whole board collectively freaks out? Past that, 2 things on it: a.) I don't know who the guy's source is but I wouldn't suspect the tiny subset of people in the know with the Sox are getting emotional, blabbing about fluid contract negotiations at weekend gatherings. That goes against just about everything the White Sox are about. b.) The source is said to have referred to the negotiations "everything moves so quickly" or something to that effect. And to be clear, I have just seen his main post so I do't know if he elaborated on timing. That goes against just about everything everyone else is hearing. "Waiting game" "it's going to be a while" "Far from over". Maybe this source is right, but they're really bucking the trend speaking to the negotiations. I see no reason to freak out here. We haven't had any notable news today. Enjoy the day off of this stuff.

Alright, I just powered through 30 pages or so of this shit and am now convinced the Machado sweepstakes are nearing an end. The Yankees are officially out at the same time a mystery team conveniently enters the fray. I don’t care what anyone says, this is a two horse race between us and the Phillies. Also, I still maintain that 8/$280M is the magic number. Give Machado at least 8 years and a record breaking AAV (Balta - I’ve had a bit too many White Claws so check my math) and I think he signs. And like raBBit said, I trully believe this ends by Wednesday if not sooner. Unlike Harper, Machado is not going to be a game changer off the field which is greatly restricting the size of his market. With the Phillies meeting with Harper tomorrow, now is the time for the Sox and Machado’s camp to get this thing done and I really think it happens soon. But the fun doesn’t stop there. I actually believe Jon Morosi wasn’t kidding when he said the Sox might be interesting in Machado & Harper months ago. Despite my pivot towards Manny in the past week, there is zero doubt in my mind that Harper is the player this franchise truly needs. And I 100% believe that our ownership group & front office also agree with that sediment, especially with a new TV deal in which they own an even larger stake in and which relies solely on White Sox baseball for a big chunk of the year. No longer can they cake off those fat Cubs ratings during the summer and their partners aren’t exactly providing riveting products at the moment. NBCSportsChicago needs a star and as talented as Manny Machado is he simply doesn’t fit the billing. Now, the question is can the Sox actually pull off two whales? I posted some numbers in the “Harper + Machado?” thread that IMO proves it’s most definitely possible to sign both of them and still field a quality team. To me, it all comes down to whether or not there is another team out there that is going to do something stupid. If someone is prepared to go 10/$400M, then we simply have no chance after adding Machado. But what teams are there? This Nationals talk is complete BS IMO. This is the same ownership group that has killed multiple trades over money, including a Robertson trade involving us. All of sudden they’re going to blow the luxury tax out of water and enter unprecedented territory as a three time offender? No way that fucking happens and they are nothing more than a name mystery team. Who else does that leave? The Yankees have already said they’re out. he Dodgers just don’t make sense to me. He’s not a great fit based on their current needs, they can’t realize the full value of the intangibles he brings to the table, and the contract he’ll demand certainly doesn’t fit Friedman’s MO. The Cubs? Yeah fucking right. I’ve been screaming all winter they don’t have the budget to pull this off and that they’d need to move significant salary (i.e. Heyward) to pull this off and that’s not happening. Maybe some teams like the Padres & Braves are poking around, but I do not see either prepared to go 10 years AND $300M+. So after eliminating all the other rumored teams, I truly believe the Phillies are the only real threat for him. They are a tough read for me, but I do question if they’d go 10 years for Bryce. I just view a MacPhail led organization to be somewhat conservative and based on the fact they were outbid for Corbin after some tough talk I have reason to be skeptical. Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Phillies capped out at 8/$280M for Harper. If so, that would allow the Sox to jump in with something around 10/$330M and provide Boras with the record breaking contract that will be needed to get him to say yes. It also allows Machado retain his record breaking deal, which should keep both guys happy. Look, I’m not making any guarantees here, but I don’t think the stop pursuing Harper if they land Machado and I honestly believe the stars have aligned so perfectly that we have a legit chance to pull off something that would be nearly impossible any other offseason. I truly believe both whales is a legit possibly. Feel free to flame away!!

Love the new title Mods

board: “Give us ANY information ANYTHiNG” poster: “bad news...” board: “oh check out this guy acting like an insider what does he know I’ll take my GoOD info from days ago.”

Do we understand why fake news is coming out it’s because of twitter and boards? Rick mentioned how annoyed he was by it. Do not trust much right now. I’m putting my money on Rick to get it done. But the narrative they want is that they are the underdogs. Monday is d day. Watch

Bruce Levine said it's either the Boston Braves, Philadelphia Athletics or Seattle Pilots on his show this morning.

So I saw my source in person and he didn't have anything for me, sorry. It seems both sides are just in a staredown right now. I would bet Lozano is willing to accept the Sox offer today if there was some sort of deadline. I haven't heard anything to corroborate NotHahns' news about frustration, but maybe what I said above is why the Sox are frustrated? Because they feel like they have the best deal out there, but Lozano is willing to just sit on that offer until the Phillies decide they won't be getting Harper, and then have to offer up their "stupid money" to save face. No idea. That's all speculation on my part, as again, my source didn't have anything substantial to tell me.

We see NotHahn lurkin', we hatin'. Patrollin' and tryna catch him drivin' slowly.

I just don’t see how the Phillies are more attractive than us. They are slightly ahead of us in their rebuild, but they have much fewer reinforcements and are in a much tough division. Plus Chicago during the summer is actually awesome while Philadelphia pretty much sucks year round. All else being equal, I think he picks us, especially now that we have two of his buddies.

To say people working for the Sox have been negative about this is crazy. Unless you're speaking to the FO in the last few hours specifically. That's just wrong. There has been optimism from the team publicly and privately. People in baseball ops and people not in baseball ops. People speaking directly and indirectly. If the Yankees are truly out and not pulling an incredible media ruse laying in the weeds, the Sox chances are very good. If it's between the Sox and Phillies and contracts are relatively the same, the Sox get him. If the Phillies get crazy and offer 300+, then you worry. The concern should be the Phillies go crazy. Until you hear about the Yankees being back in don't freak out. Lozano is acting like this is in the last stage, we'll see if he holds through.

Man I need to impregnate a girl so I can have a kid and get in on these sweet, sweet birthday party scoops.

Perhaps a live video with his source's face blacked out and voice distorted? lol

I'm not reading this as Hahn being frustrated with message board shit. Hes probably pissed about sports writers putting shit out like "Sox wont go over 7 years", and "Sox arent willing to come anywhere near 300m for either guy"

I have a hunch it was actually 2. My bad. I don’t know your county’s time zone’s as well as I thought. My mom was right....I am a disappointment.

@wsd @Y2Jimmy0 @raBBit @ChiliIrishHammock24@macsandz Bring back optimism to this fanbase. Please.

Long time lurker but I can tell you this, simply is not true. They are not happy with leaks and are all towing the company line now.

Brb going to drink some bleach now

If Machado signs somewhere else, the next day Jay, Alonso and Hahn all need to be shown the door.

Responding to your edit. It was just this time last year we were debating whether the Sox or Braves had the best farm in MLB, ONE YEAR into rebuild! HOW SOON DID THE FANS FORGET? I know we had some injury bugs in 2018 and fans like to be impatient, but besides Fulmer, 2018 didn’t show us any of those prospects woudl be flops long term. No, not yet. And here we are now already comparing Rick Hahn to Gar Fucking Forman’s level of incompetence, give me a fucking break. And typical Parkman pooping everywhere and expecting the worst outcome of of everything. Why aren’t you posting in NFL thread how Trubisky was a bust 3 weeks into this season.

Hahn/KW deserve enormous praise for assembling such a good core, and they deserved to be fired for the inability to build anything resembling a contending team around it.

Posted 7 minutes after Rosenthal. Was he your source?

Guys, I’ve been holding back. I’m Jerry Reinsdorf. Mr, Lockwood, send me $100 and I will get this deal done. PM me for PayPal info.

Yeah that's not what I said. If someone joins the board and quickly starts having sources, that should raise eye brows. If someone that has been here for a while says something, it's a different story.

I’ll apologize on behalf of the collective for believing someone other than the almighty raBBit. We all await your scripture.

This is just going off of history, but the Sox would sit on this for as long as they have to release it in the optimal time/way. They'd want to dominate the news and take full advantage of this. Obviously the primary concern is signing him, but once/if they know that they him, they are going to make sure the media is empowered and enabled to tell the world it is putting the Sox back on the map.

The real question is are the Machado and Harper camps monitoring us? Just in case they are: I have always considered Scott Boras to be a wonderful person.

I would think the Sales and Marketing groups monitor these boards a bit. But if Baseball Ops are, that’s insane. I can save them the time right now. What all of us want is the best White Sox team possible.

First time poster here. 41 year old Sox fan whose life has become consumed by this. I've been monitoring this board for about a week and a half, as my dad has asked me to give him any and all updates I have. FWIW, I have believed from the onset of this offseason that the Sox are going to land one of these guys. I don't have insider information. But I do trust my gut. Maybe it's all just been wishful thinking, but I'm sticking to my guns. I believe Machado will be putting on a White Sox jersey in front of the press before this is all over. It's cool that there are sources out there, but the fact is that no one truly knows exactly what's happening. That is not meant to disrespect anyone. Let it ride, and see what happens.

They are talking today. I know that You can chose to believe or not. I’ve been a Sox fan a long long time. Just have faith. Rick Hahn is a great negotiator.

Lures you with candy, next thing you know you’re tied up in the back of the van..

I do. Don't rub it in

Some of you guys need a woman.

NotHahn needs to fake a deuce and slip into the bathroom so he can post the goods.

This I would do.

Seriously - I've never been this excited to hear how a one year old's birthday party went; I'm jonesing for some info.

Hopefully Machado signs today and we don't have to worry about insider rumors.

Yeah this, no chance Mike Trout picks the Whitesox over all the other suitors he’s going to have, I think we have been lucky and gotten as far as we have with these two because of how few teams are in the race for them. Strike now, sign both and continue the push forward with the rebuild

For those debating what raBBit said, here is the tweet: And Balta, he did not say the same thing about this past Wednesday.

Hahn is going to need armed guards protecting him during SoxFest if he comes up empty.

Nats/Dodgers/Cubs

Bucket hasn't said anything today but what he said a few days back about the sox likely getting this done. RaBBit yesterday said that he'd be surprised if it didn't happen by Wednesday. I'm going with those guys over notHahn

Cake gave you the runs huh?

We have no choice but to believe.

If the Phillies are offering Harper 12/350 I want the Sox to offer him 10/350

There is no way I would want Harper on this team for the full length of a 12 year contract. Neither would my 19 year old son who is seven right now.

And if the Sox don't sign Machado or Harper we'll all be singing " I wanna be sedated".

I think the reality is we’ll never be able to win a bidding war for Trout. He’s so damn good that every major spender with sufficient payroll space will be in the mix. I have no doubt the Yankees and many others already have their eye on the 2020/2021 offseason. Knowing that Mookie Betts could be the consolation prize provides even more incentive to wait if you’re already a 90+ win team with no gaping holes. Their markets are going to be crazy and I just don’t see us winning those sweepstakes. We’re also very lucky that Harper and Machado both have their warts. Bryce due to his health, inconsistencies, & defensive concerns & Manny because of potential characters flaw. The fact there are only a couple teams in the mix for these guys is absolutely bonkers, but speaks volume to the desire of teams to spend $300M or more on these guys. If this year’s market isn’t the definition of “right time right place” for us then I don’t know what is because both of these guys fill huge needs for us (impact 3B & face of franchise star) and are the perfect age to fit our projected window. We can potentially add 11 WAR / year (for the next 4 or 5 years) for around $70M annually, which is basically paying $7M per win. That’s a fucking steal in this day & age, especially when you consider the premium we should be paying for all that WAR coming out of two spots. Trout may provide even better value over the first few years of his deal, but who really cares if we can’t land him. Instead, let’s take advantage of this year’s market and add two 26 year old whales while we actually can.

Caulfield