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And if you miss the playoff by 1 or 2 games you're not the one having to deal with the backlash of we wouldn't have missed the playoffs if we had Eloy for those 14 games. Once you decide the rebuild is over every game/season counts. Doubt our off season will be so spectacular that we are contenders in 2019 but if it is then having Eloy for every one of those games is important and even more important if he end up putting up really good numbers.

Well it truly might be the beginning of the season. Why ? Let's say the off season is very successful . You get either Harper or Machado and you sign a top line starting pitcher or two and a few relievers and Donaldson for a few years. That might signal the rebuild is over. If all that happens then every game starting in 2019 means something since Cleveland will have some free agents losses and may trade other crucial pieces. If the Sox can stay neck and neck with Cleveland they can add pieces at the deadline. Having Eloy for a full season rather than missing a month might be the different between making or not making the playoffs.

Don't be so naive. You deliberately say sprinting 30 yards isn't much of a killer like you only have to do it once when in actuality you might have to sprint 30 of more yards 500 times a year . When you play all the time that takes its toll especially when it's a given that you will have plenty of aches and pains playing all the time like Machado does. If you don't think he's worth signing because he doesn't sprint 100% of the time then I don't know what to tell you. If you want another Pete Rose good luck with that too.

No the main selling point for Ricky is probably that his players love him and he's bi-lingual . I doubt any free agent takes into consideration who's the manager unless there's been known friction between them in the past.

Ptatc, Machado played almost day for the last 5 years . He's probably at or near the top of all MLB in games played for that time period. You should know as well as anyone that the season is a grind and everybody has their aches and pain . If you are a superstar playing every day for 5 years I really think it's fine to not sprint on infield pop up or balls hit right at infielders and Ofers. Just do your mashing and plus fielding every day and I'll take the 5/6 WAR with the occasional trotting. Could he have phrased what he said better ? Of course but, it's a common practice for plenty of players even those who don't play an average of 159+ games for 5 years in a row.

If you google White Sox, Machado, Harper there are a lot of stories out there basically running the gamut from just reporting they could pursue both to those thinking it's nonsense . I think most of us realize that just landing one will prove difficult but the dreamers, the optimists are in their glory right now. Who am I to try to talk some sense into everyone by being the Dream Police . As Aerosmith sings, Dream On ! I have 18 songs on my itunes that start with Dream, Dreamin' ,Dreaming etc in case you don't like Aerosmith.

Since this is already a runaway train , have at it. https://www.mlb.com/video/white-sox-a-match-for-machado/c-2518742283?tid=7417714

Morosi isn't exactly a trusted source. He's guessing like the rest of us. If you asked him do you expect Manny or Harper to sign without some early opt outs and if you think they get the early opt out how do they fit in the Sox plan he would be stumped.

LOL this place is insanity today. I tried to stop it by saying its 1,000,000 to1 we sign both and 100 to 1 to sign just one because those guys might want early opt outs as young as they are and it doesn't fit the rebuild to allow an early opt out. Anyone expecting an 8-10 year deal without an opt out or 2 better do a reality check. The earliest the Sox might do in an opt out is after 4 yrs to fit their window . Signing one with an opt out after less than 4 years would be crazy because we still might not be contending by then. To sign then lose them right when we hit the contention window is nuts.

Also people might be down on Machado's lack of hustle but look at his games played stats the last 5 years. He rarely misses a game and its far superior to Harpers. When you play that many games per year like Machado there will be times you coast because the season is a grind. The dude shows up to play every day. A young superstar offensively and defensively not having an injury history and being on the field every day is HUGE !

I'm with you but unfortunately Harper isn't a good fielder and overpaying for a 1st baseman isn't a great idea. When you talk championship we often forget defense but making above average plays at all positions leads to a lot of regular season wins as well as the post season. I prefer Harper as a legit marketing presence and what he does offensively. Unfortunately I think having Machado leads to more wins if he plays 3rd base.

There are 5 starters in basketball and 8 on baseball plus 5 starting pitchers. Basketball roster is 12 ? Baseball is 25. Basketball doesn't pay salaries of 6 levels of the minors . It would take a miracle to get one of them . Getting both is as far fetched as it gets. Remember when we all thought Dunn's contract was a detriment to signing more free agents because of payroll constraints ? Multiply that by 50 to imagine how having 2 mega contracts would be. Early opt outs don't fit into the Sox plan but they may fit into Harper and Machado's plans. Don't get your hopes up for one let alone both.

There is certainly a lot of speculation that the big spenders (Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs) wont be pursuing Harper or Machado. We can't rule it out completely because contracts can be structured for the short term if a player wants to be on a contender then opt out after winning a World Series. Getting either one for 2 years then an opt out will be attractive.

Yea to me that is obvious. Id be thrilled with one . No one should be thinking of both . Both signing here is a million to one while 1 signing here is 100 to one.

He's probably as good as Avi out there. Not as fast not as good of an arm . Many here still think AVi is bad in the OF but he's not he's just average. He used to be bad . If you think average is bad then Eloy is bad . If we end up having some good fielding good hitting OF'ers come up after Eloy there's always 1st base for him.

Nope not even sure what a ban bet is. If I lose I wouldn't want to ban myself from posting if that's what it is. Plus I want them to sign a big name. No sense betting against it.

I was specifically asking Mr. Hot since he likes to make bets without making clear what he means by his all encompassing statement of a " big name".

Care to clarify who is a big name besides Harper and Machado ?

I saw it too in the 2nd inning . It wasn't around after that.

Was watching the fall stars game that I dvr'd . Robert grounded out to third his 1st Ab against Forrest Whitley in the 2nd inning. Right behind the plate was a guy holding a sign that said" White Sox sign Manny Machado" which I surmised was a plea rather than a statement of fact . Wonder if it's a Soxtalker. So Robert went 0/4 with 2 K's. Definitely looked like they were trying to jam him and he couldn't lay off the ones that weren't strikes.

Was watching the fall stars game that I dvr'd . Robert grounded out to third his 1st Ab against Forrest Whitley in the 2nd inning. Right behind the plate was a guy holding a sign that said" White Sox sign Manny Machado" which I surmised was a plea rather than a statement of fact . Wonder if it's a Soxtalker.

Harper should stay in a small park like ours to rack up some HOF numbers

Luis Roberts will play in the Arizona Fall Stars game on Saturday on MLB network

Roberts will play in the Arizona Fall Stars game on Saturday on MLB network.

Castillo probably will be the #1 catcher and if no Machdo they will hope for a good season and sell him at the deadline.