SoxBlanco

I would say that it’s great to hear Moncada didn’t strike out at all today. Nice!

So if Santana makes the team, where does that leave Covey and Banuelos? Option 1: Banuelos is part of the bullpen because he is out of options, and Covey starts in AAA. In this scenario, would Covey be a starter in Charlotte? Option 2: Covey is the long reliever, and they risk losing Banuelos. Option 3: Both start the year as part of the bullpen.

May have been lying? They were absolutely lying. There's no way Santana or Nova will have any bearing on when Cease and Dunning get called up.

They will bring up Cease and Dunning when they are ready, and it will have NOTHING to do with Santana and/or Nova.

So the question that somebody needs to ask them is this... "If you thought your offer was better, then why not just give him the "worse" offer, if it means locking him up?"

Just like Manny doesn't want to play on the West Coast? (I'm just giving you shit, when in reality, I have zero confidence we will sign Harper)

He’s not saying two different frameworks. He’s saying JR had a plan/budget in place for getting both guys to sign with us.

Yeah, I don’t think his sources were wrong. I even think Hahn thought we would land Machado.

I honestly believe it's because they didn't think they would need to, and if Lozano contacted them with the San Diego offer, they thought he was bluffing.

Can a reporter please ask RH this question?... Kenny said that $300 million was not feasible for you guys, and yet both of you are saying you had the better offer if the reports are true. So which is it?

Or is that exactly what Kenny and RH want everyone to think? Then we swoop in and outbid everybody. (This very unlikely scenario is the only thing that will make the Machado debacle forgivable)

I took it to mean that with incentives and various swell-opts, Manny could have made more than $300 here. But that makes no fucking sense if we supposedly weren't willing to give $300. This is such an embarrassment.

I can't remember if you claim to be an insider or if you are just going on gut feeling. Which is it? Either way, I tend to agree with your posts. We are landing Manny.

Thanks for the update. I’ll take all the heat in the world if SD lands him. I still don’t think it’s a possibility.

Haven’t been here in several hours. What is the panic about? Is San Diego a serious player? Let me know why I should be worried...although I still probably won’t be worried.

It’s only super annoying if you believe they are actually a threat. I don’t think there’s any chance SD signs Machado.

What about setting up your kids and grandchildren and great grandchildren, etc. for life? You are making a terrible argument. Really awful.

Yes. Wouldn’t even hesitate.

Completely agree. But to be fair, they are not claiming they will make or win the World Series. They are just claiming they are a sleeper. Stranger things have happened in sports. For example, I think the Sox winning the World Series next year is more likely than a basketball team coming back from 23 down with 9:10 remaining to win a game...and that happened last night. But yeah, there is no realistic chance the Sox are winning it all next year. And getting +3300 odds isn't even close to worth it.

Adding Alonso and Jay absolutely told Machado that we really want him. And I’m sure the pitch to him when he visited was very impressive. Manny knows how badly we want him.

In the beginning of the offseason, I would have agreed with you. But I don't believe that's the case anymore. I think Manny wants to play with the White Sox at this point because of Alonso and Jay.

I've been saying it for a while now, but I truly believe Manny has known he will be playing for the Sox for at least a month now. His agent is just trying to get him the best possible deal.

Obvious picks: Madrigal and Robert My personal picks: Gonzalez, Flores, and Bush

I would hate that trade, if true. I do not want to give up one of our top 5 outfield prospects for another outfielder that we will control for only two years. And we probably won't be competing quite yet during those two years. I'd be fine with the Fulmer, Bummer, Laz rumor...but not Rutherford.

The improved bullpen should add about 5 wins from last year. Eloy should add a few wins as well. The (hopeful) improvement of Moncada, along with some other minor additions adds a couple wins. Giotito can't be worse, so there's an extra win or two. Without Machado: 12 extra wins from last year (74-88) With Machado: 17 extra wins from last year (79-83) If we add another starting pitcher or another decent piece on top of Machado, we could be looking at somewhere around the 80 to 84 win range.