fathom

So this is a really good Yankees insider doing a youtube update. Doesn't have a ton of information, but the first few minutes are about Manny. He also goes on to mention that Harper might have a worst reputation with his ex-teammates than Manny does.

or Thome is taking a job as special assistant to Cashman and didn't want them to give it away

Yeah, think about the fact that Amsinger basically said a player would want to play for the Yankees instead of WSox and Phillies. That's a very awkward spot for him given his history with those franchises.

Why can't I dislike this?

I would be stunned if we hear anything tomorrow. Now, if the Sox go out and sign Jon Jay (Manny's buddy), then you should probably get happy.

I'm not here to say one source is better than another. I will say that given how hard Theo and company have tried to convince everyone that they're at their budget, I doubt anyone other than the front office and Boras/Harper actually know what's going on. I would also be surprised if Harper told anyone about the process outside of his wife/parents/siblings.

He was also incredibly vague in a clip I saw where they asked about Manny's hustle.

But don't you think that if they wanted Harper, they wouldn't have signed Hamels if the knew it would take them out of the running? I think they'll keep Heyward and move Zobrist and Chatwood (including Happ and prospects). They still need to spend some money on relief pitching, as I've thought all along that Andrew Miller is a perfect fit for them.

so assuming he's correct, what does waiting for an answer mean?

Baez is supposed to be their SS, and they're rumored to be after Tulo

thanks Orlando, hadn't seen those

And FWIW, Tom Loxas retweeted someone today who predicted that Harper would eventually sign with the Cubs. Loxas has had good sources in the past and was pessimistic about their chances until the last week.

If you look at the "experts" on the MLB Network (all of them tend to be former players), none of them are going to say "x" player is going to sign with the team that gives them the most money, even if they're a horrible organization. They're all going to say "x" player wants to win.

Perfectly said, and also more reason this feels like if the Sox can lock up one of these guys, it can be a watershed moment for the organization. Outside of 2 innings by Kopech and Abreu's walk off slam against Tampa, what has really happened positively for this organization over the last 5 or so years? That desperately needs to change.

So far so good IMO. It's like getting a prospective recruit to not commit on their official visit.

So after thinking about this more, the easy choice is Samardzija, followed by Austin Jackson. Both are for reasons relating to college athletics and then sucking for the Sox as well.

I'm still confused why they ever brought over Stanton. Harper would have been such a better fit.

True but doesn’t help that just as the Sox have hit rock bottom, the Cubs have gone on a great 4 year stretch. It’s been the perfect storm towards irrelevancy for the Sox. Getting Manny or Harper would be an incredible boost for the Sox franchise. Getting neither and the Cubs getting one of them would be the nail in the coffin.

I’m betting they left Gibson’s at 11:30 and that’s where the ten hour mark came from

So she knows where to go when she visits Yonder during the season

Two questions I would love to hear answered: - was JR at the meeting - did the Sox meet with him on Tuesday?

Cause clearly the agent wanted a good dinner

https://mobile.twitter.com/martinonyc/status/1075440304629657600 https://mobile.twitter.com/martinonyc/status/1075481718495346689

If he signs with Yanks, Hal can then mention to the media how they had these discussions and he’s comfortable with Manny.

Or so Machado could meet with Hal in person