GreenSox

Yes, this OBP machine is just what the team needs. .306, .339, .374, .330 the last 4 years. The fluke year with the Cubs probably explains the zeal for this guy.

What's predictable is all of y'all thinking he's a good baseball player. .729 career OPS .678 last year. The 40 man is stacked with younger players who can produce that and actually could improve. And spare me the "Flip" stuff...it's the very players who now won't play (the Cordells, etc.) that they get when they flip better players than Jay.

$4 million for a .678 OPS? He earned $3 million last year off of a .749 OPS. More shrewd negotiation from Hahn. Career .729 (and that is with his best year as his first), 36 homers in 9 seasons. Don't let anyone ever say that they can't afford Machado when they throw away $4 million like this.

Good lord - he hits no better than Delmonico et al, guys who need the ABs. Old habits die hard.

I hear you. I don't know why they don't look for little deals like that.

That's largely because they underperformed last year and return to their norm would probably improve them 8-10 games. As for Heyward, he produces like a 4th OF and is owed $106 million. Attaching major league players to him seems counterproductive for a team trying to win...and guys like Happ and Schwarber, whom they could get by without, can hit but are poor defensively so they aren't in that high a demand. They could deal him to someone like the Giants, split the difference by taking back some of their high contract pitchers.....but those guys can still pitch decently so the Giants should want return on those pitchers plus assets to take on Heyward's contract. Seems like they'd have to throw a couple of really high prospects, if they have them.

I agree. This is simply isn't a case of 3 (or however many) equally-situated bidders where they can strategically place bids to ensure they don't over-bid. Sox are at the bottom. Instead of using Yankee reticence to try to get a bargain, the Sox should seize the opportunity to "blow them away."

If the offers are really low 200s/7, then Machado will certainly will wait for them until the end.

What??? No they aren't. Depends on the player. I don't hate vets - Ottavino is a vet and I hope the Sox sign him. i wanted the Sox to sign Charlie Morton. What I hate (in most circumstances) are declining vets....because that trend is far more likely to continue than it is to reverse.

Ottavino is 33, so I guess I see the hesitation on 3 years....although that would probably be no riskier than 1/2 year each on Alonso, Herrera, Jones, Cargo and others with tangible downward trends..

I'd rather Avi than Jones or Cargo (good lord).

Herrera hasn't pitched much in the last couple of years, and what he did last year wasn't good. Just as soon go with the young guys - they have two vets.

If I may ask, who is Bucket and how/where does one access his reporting? A poster? A twitter I guy?

And Puig and the pitcher are also good players...Heyward is a fourth OF.

I think Machado will sign relatively soon; he's got 3 suitors and it's unlikely that number changes. None of the teams need to move players or anything like that...should be able to knock this out. Harper, on the other hand, has 3 confirmed suitors but 3 or 4 possible more (Cubs, Dodgers, Cards, Yankees). That should take longer to play out.

Unless one believes Bruce who claims 10 year and high AAV offers.

Agree I guess i misunderstood your earlier post.

If it skews, it skews in favor of the 7/300 over the 10/330. The present value of the income from the extra 3 years can be added to the 7/300. If a player is going to put his money into CDs, then 10/330 is better. If he's a decent investor, 7/300 is no worse, and probably better. You get your money earlier, invest it and earn more in investment returns than the present value of the extra $30 million.

Incorrectly; on recalculation, around a 5% rate equates the two. The risk-free rate will likely be below 5%; still there is other risk in waiting for your money

I'm not sure exactly what you are saying here, but at a 3% interest rate (pretty conservative) 7/300 is about the same total money as 10/330.

No reason not to -- it's a better deal as you get your money quicker. That said. 7/$300 is nearly $43 mill per year....quite the price. I could dig a couple of 5/$200s, no opt outs. Gives the Sox a 5 year window of winning with them.

Yes, because the years provide them with their protection/insurance in case they are injured, their play turns sour, etc.

Ray and Bradley have 2 and 3 years left on their contract; they're good, but would cost a lot and leave any real long term contention up to Hahn's drafting, of which has not been shown to be a favorable proposition. Dyson is basically a mid-30s version of Engel.

Hard pass. Just have to pray Engel can hit, by waiting for the 3 or so CF prospects we have to be ready.

This is the kind of move the Sox need to make.