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I've been speculating about other possible moves but realistically the pending move could just be Machado signing with us. The 2 weeks ago timeline fits with right before the Machado visit and the possibility of it coming together quickly falls in line with Machado saying "after the new year".

That's exactly what I said if you combine my posts where I also said we might expect a 10-15 game improvement which puts us at 72-77 wins next year.

I like you being hopeful, its what every spring is for,but all 3 doing something they have never done before is pretty unreasonable. I'd be thrilled if Rodon fulfilled his promise finally and Giolito showed he can control his mechanics and if Lopez made a slight improvement in his peripherals. Improvement yes but considerable improvement is unlikely. Get the babies walking instead of standing and falling down .

or 3. I think it takes a miracle to reach .500 but a 10-15 game improvement would be good. 2020 Kopech Cease Dunning .2021 some of position players start arriving unless we get multiple level jumps from guys like Robert and Madrigal this year.

While Machado and a Eloy would make our lineup substantially better you did not mention starting pitching and that will be the Sox Achilles heel in 2019. It could improve substantially when Kopech Cease and Dunning arrive in 2020 but expecting them all to not only succeed but be good right away is pushing the envelop . Rodon has never had a full good season with the Sox and this will be his 5th year. Giolito was terrible last year and Lopez OK and will only be their 2nd years with the Sox. The one and only way to actually be competitive in 2019 would be for all 3 to have break out years and how likely is that ? Nova would also have to be better than expected and we still don't really have a fifth starter unless it's Covey . Even if they all had breakout season they would probably be gassed at the end of the season because Rodon has been injured and Giolto and Lopez still need to build up their innings totals. Even adding Kikuchi doesn't move the needle much because of the highly unlikely event of a bunch of break out years . 2019 is a year to see who can step up among the prospects now in the Majors and also the ones in the minors.

Rant yes quality no. Machado is fully aware of the Sox situation and the purpose his friends play. To argue otherwise is just arguing to argue.Manny wiill not be upset having his friends leave when they are replaced with better players that make the Sox better. He wants to win but while waiting to win he gets to play with family and friends. Besides he'll probably get a chance to opt out anyway even if he's as happy as can be.

I fail to understand what it is that you don't understand. 1. The pitch to Manny probably was the Sox will be good just not right away but in the mean time to make you feel welcome and at home we will TEMPORARILY fill spots we need to fill anyway with friends and family. I highly doubt Manny will be upset if Nova gets replaced by Kopech Cease or Dunning or if Castillo is the backup for a year to Grandal and then leaves. Colome and Britton could also be good TEMPORARY signings when they might get replaced by whoever among the young BP arms becomes good. Adam Jones or Starling Marte would be a good TEMPORARY signings/trade until replaced by upcoming young OF's 2. Why do you continue to think Machado is not aware of all these things ? 3. Since all those friends are TEMPORARY until replaced by better younger players in order to field the BEST TEAM POSSIBLE. Please write Hahn I just happen to agree with him. I'm done with you on this.

Glad you aren't the GM. Just ignore that 2019 won't be a competitive year and that even his ex team mates might not be here for the competitive years . So if Manny is signed long term but knows the Sox suck but might be very good in 2-3 years how can the Sox entice him not to sign with teams who are more competitive now ? Fill spaces that needed to be filled for a year or 2 anyway like an innings eater and BP arms with guys who make Manny feel at home. Beside you are not really arguing with me but with Rick Hahn . It is no coincidence that all these recent acquirees have some connection to Machado. It makes sense . Write Hahn an email and tell him he's naive. They plan on making the best roster possible just not 2019. I guess you would have just been a lazy GM and said look here's the money signed Machado and then filled the empty spaces in the rotation and bullpen with who knowing you won't be competive in 2019 no matter who you get . Wouldn't Colome and Britton fill the same purpose as any other good relievers ? So why not get the guys who can serve the dual purpose of also being connected to Machado. Everything you are saying is window dressing . Somehow Manny has done fine playing without guys you mentioned. Exactly he has. What the hell does that have to do with getting him to sign with us ?

Are you howling into the wind as usual ?Where was it said anyone thought the team could compete in 2019 ? That is not the prevailing opinion.

They know that . They are just being Dicks. The guys the Sox brought in so far are all ex 2017 Dominican Republic team mates not ex Orioles (so far). Welington Castillo was both. If Machado signs with the Sox that probably won't even shut them up as it will be" it was all about the money not those ex WBC team mates and Alonso" as the reason he signed. But everyone else will know it was a combination of the money and making him feel at home here.

Don't be naive. You also have to make him feel welcome and wanted. Every little thing you can do to entice perhaps one of the most highly regarded FA of the decade helps. Of course the money has to be there too but if the money is all fairly equal then I am fine with the guys we got connected to him so far.It's not like they are long term pieces but a year or 2 of playing with people close to you is a good thing. That you can spin it otherwise its just nonsensical contrarian BS that you are known for.

Great ,Dick Allen makes a snide remark about the Orioles and now that's whats considered relevant when I clearly stated there it's mostly all ex team mates from the WBC in 2017. I did mention Adam Jones and Britton and the Sox are still looking for relief pitching so Britton seems are a decent choice. Jones probably not. Not exactly loading up .

You have to admit that almost everyone the Sox have added this off season plus Castillo from last season has some connection to Machado. I am not privy to how good their relationships are besides Alonso and Castillo. Maybe Hahn and company did their due diligence ,as they should, and discovered Colome and Nova were also close to him. If that is the case those guys serve dual purposes, as an inning eater starting pitcher and a needed decent bullpen arm besides the connection to Machado. I think it's incredibly naive to think that Hahn was not aware of this when he acquired these guys. Also the majority of them are Dominicans like Machado who played with him in the WBC not ex Oriole team mates. If indeed Machado does sign with the Sox I can safely say without hesitation that Hahn's efforts to make him feel at home and welcome were well rewarded. Castillo was the only ex Oriole team mate but also played with Machado on the WBC team.

He does seem to be the most logical choice of Manny Mates who also fits a need. Jones might not cost a lot but still not a CF any more. Would be OK in left or right but probably means no dice on Bryce. Starling Marte would be interesting. He's getting to the age (30) and salary $10M where the Pirates usually start looking around for a replacement .Good defensively pretty fast good offense. Would be decent short term OF . Guessing he would play CF . His contract looks like this : 2019: $10 million • 2020: $12.5 million club option ($2 million buyout) • 2021: $13.5 million club option ($2 million buyout) Theoretically he could be used for 1 , 2 , or 3 years . That really seems ideal when seeing how long it takes some of our OF prospects to emerge. Of course a much cheaper option than Harper and would most likely mean we're out on him once Machado is signed, which is probably the prudent move anyway. No idea what the Pirates would want for him but leaves a nice chunk of change on the payroll to sign a whale pitcher next year or do anything.

Copied and pasted from Endgame thread I'm really starting to think the Sox get Machado. Look at all the things they have done to make him aware how much they want him. 1. Signed Welington Castillo 2. Tried to trade for him last year. Probably an underwhelming offer but it could be the idea was for the Sox to express early interest in him and just put it out there . 3. Traded for Colome a team mate of Machado on the 2017 Dominican Republic WBC team. 4. Traded for Ivan Nova another team mate of Machado's on the DR team. 5. Traded for Yonder Alonso , Machado's brother in law. So who else is still out there who might make Machado happy? There's Adam Jones and Zach Britton. Nelson Cruz ex Oriole and DR team mate but not a fit any longer but the Sox did show interest in him supposedly before they got Alonso. Sox also expressed interest in Familia, another ex DR team mate So now there's the latest rumor that something started 2 weeks ago that came together quickly recently. Would anyone really be surprised if it was Adam Jones or Britton or a trade for Starling Marte another DR team mate of Machado ? My original guess was Grandal before I did a deeper dive into his ex team mates from the Orioles and the DR 2017 WBC team in the Harper/Machado thread where that rumor originated. But I wasn't really sold on my own idea. That post is in that thread. It could be something that doesn't pan out while putting the finishing touches on it. It could just be dotting the I's and crossing the T's on Machado or a false rumor. But I think we have thrown some good names out there . Lots of speculation it could also be Ottavino.

I'm just going to copy and paste things I have already said in the 2 other threads with Macahado's name on it. Yasmani Grandal because we are cornering the market on players whose names start with Y and Cubans ,He's also very close to Alonso . Would be so much fun if Alonso got us Grandal and Machado. If that happened I'd pick up his 2nd year right away. BTW I don't really believe this. When everyone was believing it I said not gonna happen because of the lost pick draft and Castillo being a Manny bud wasn't going to be knocked out of the starting catchers gig. But I gotta admit it's a fun thought.

Doubtful in my eyes. With 2 years left he is sure to command a kings ransom and that would include some of the best Sox prospects which they will not move. Marlins are in no hurry unless they get exactly what they want. You know Eloy, Cease and Robert or 2 of those 3 will be what the Marlins ask. After those 3 only Madrigal ,Rutherford, Dunning and the injured Kopech are the only one in the top 100 and all of them have a lot yet still to prove. Fangraphs gave some top 100 love to Collins, Adolfo and Basabe but I'm not even sure I'm looking at the right list since its about prospect valuations and all 3 are head of Cease and Dunning who are 95 and 96 which seems kind of strange. But again all 3 still have a lot to prove.

I got a White Sox 2018 off season rumor mill book including tweets, newspaper articles,trades and all posts on Soxtalk.com . It's longer than War and Peace and the price includes the follow up book that will have the same thing from Xmas day 2018 to opening day 2019. It's title is : Die Hards with a Vengeance.

We were never linked to Fiers either and they are the same age. Fiers WAR was 3.7 last year in the league with the DH while Gio G. was 1.8 in the NL . Fiers was non tendered but resigned with Oakland for 2 years for about $7.5 M /yr. So why go after Gio when maybe Fiers was better ? So my bigger question is regarding the rumor you mentioned. I know you already stated that's all you know but do you get the sense it has nothing to do with Machado or it's another player ? What you did mention seems the fit the Machado statement that "after the new year" he will make up his mind.

My original guess was Grandal before I did a deeper dive into his ex team mates from the Orioles and the DR 2017 WBC team in the Harper/Machado thread where that rumor originated. But I wasn't really sold on my own idea. That post is in that thread. It could be something that doesn't pan out while putting the finishing touches on it. It could just be dotting the I's and crossing the T's on Machado or a false rumor. But I think we have thrown some good names out there . Lots of speculation it could also be Ottavino.

I've been in California for 35+ years but yes Greek town in Chicago is still there and not that far from Guaranteed Rate Field if I recall. Don't hit the Ouzo too much .

He does seem to be the most logical choice of Manny Mates who also fits a need. Jones might not cost a lot but still not a CF any more. Would be OK in left or right but probably means no dice on Bryce. Starling Marte would be interesting. He's getting to the age (30) and salary $10M where the Pirates usually start looking around for a replacement .Good defensively pretty fast good offense. Would be decent short term OF . Guessing he would play CF . His contract looks like this : 2019: $10 million • 2020: $12.5 million club option ($2 million buyout) • 2021: $13.5 million club option ($2 million buyout) Theoretically he could be used for 1 , 2 , or 3 years . That really seems ideal when seeing how long it takes some of our OF prospects to emerge. Of course a much cheaper option than Harper and would most likely mean we're out on him once Machado is signed, which is probably the prudent move anyway. No idea what the Pirates would want for him but leaves a nice chunk of change on the payroll to sign a whale pitcher next year or do anything.

It's in the Harper/Machado thread from one of our long time posters Buerhle>Wood. These are his 2 posts on it. Sox have a move in place. I dont know what it is, but they have one. Guessing it will be announced after Christmas. #sources There was something that's been in the works for two weeks and escalated very quickly this past weekend. All I got. Oh and Merry Christmas to you too. Opa !

I posted some other possible move in the Machado thread. Like I said I don't really think it's Grandal but I also think it doesn't mean you don't believe in Collins and Zavala, To me its just hedging your bets. Zavala and Collin's still need AB's in the minors and between the 2 of them it's possible they can learn under Grandal after Castillo is gone . The McCann signing also factors against me really thinking its Grandal but McCann wouldn't be much of an obstacle. Maybe they both have good years in the minors and they become trade bait.Surely we know some of the minor league guys will be traded.

I'm really starting to think the Sox get Machado. Look at all the things they have done to make him aware how much they want him. 1. Signed Welington Castillo 2. Tried to trade for him last year. Probably an underwhelming offer but it could be the idea was for the Sox to express early interest in him and just put it out there . 3. Traded for Colome a team mate of Machado on the 2017 Dominican Republic WBC team. 4. Traded for Ivan Nova another team mate of Machado's on the DR team. 5. Traded for Yonder Alonso , Machado's brother in law. So who else is still out there who might make Machado happy? There's Adam Jones and Zach Britton. Nelson Cruz ex Oriole and DR team mate but not a fit any longer but the Sox did show interest in him supposedly before they got Alonso. Sox also expressed interest in Familia, another ex DR team mate So now there's the latest rumor that something started 2 weeks ago that came together quickly recently. Would anyone really be surprised if it was Adam Jones or Britton or a trade for Starling Marte another DR team mate of Machado ?