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dude

I don't really get why this is that bizarre. The reporter from DR reported something both specific and vague. If he was flying to the US to sign with the sox today, that would indicate an agreement had been reached. It's clear no agreement had been reached. That doesn't mean the sox have not discussed or targeted Ozuna. They may very well have. But this reporter wouldn't be vindicated if he eventually signs with the sox, because that's not what his report was. The tricky part is there may very well be a language barrier here. If the sentiment was intended to be like "ozuna is flying to the US for the GM meetings where he expects to sign with the white sox" that's more indicating current preference. We ultimately don't know, but the reporters that said "there is no agreement in place" were more right than the interpretation of this guys tweet (and subsequent doubling down)

That's pretty wild. Boras is a good agent.

Yeah it has been such a staple for them that it would be surprising. I do wonder if this was easier with them having tried to negotiate (and losing) harper for years. Had to know the flexibility of ownership at that point. Helps to have that WS vibes too.

Well, they were pretty stagnant while the biggest franchises tried to dip back under the lux tax. I am glad they are back as a baseball fan.

Not many records to shatter after Stras.

?

He's worth that amount because maybe a handful of people on earth can do what he does, and he's fortunate to do it in a business where people pay a bunch of money to watch them do it. The Nationals franchise will be fine, don't worry.

I mean obviously, but they signed him to the deal they had to because they wanted him to be on their team the next three years to go with their great rotation and young, cheap, great offense. Rizzo has been pretty damn incredible with contracts. He pays a lot for guys that have performed at that level. I think he deserves some patience here.

I really think Texas is going to get him.

TBT to when no sane front office was going to be giving strasburg more than 5 years.

Because it's a relatively easier defensive position to shift to, so more infield candidates can fill it. And the price for 2b signings the last several years has been low years and pretty low AAV, and if it was difficult to fill you'd expect a player like Lemahieu last year to earn quite a bit more than 2/24.

"But sources tell The Athletic that there’s no indication of an imminent agreement with free agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna, despite a report from the Dominican Republic saying otherwise, and while appearing on 670 AM The Score on Saturday, Hahn reiterated another oft-repeated line that there’s no extra purpose to completing signings during the winter meetings." Fegan The idea that he's flying to US to finalize the deal would be at odds with this very clear pushback that there is no deal in place from multiple sources. I didn't say the guy was lying but getting information from Ozuna's family members and the tweet that he said may also not be accurate, and Ozuna may very well sign with sox. But it's unlikely there is already a handshake agreement in place as multiple people have said that is not the case.

Why would chisholm fall out of the top 100?

Well, mainly that 2b has been pretty easy to fill, especially at his expected offensive production. I'm not sure there is an easier position to fill.

There have been numerous reporters that aren't Levine that have said no agreement is in place and it is not that far along. So the idea that it's a done deal that isn't being reported seems hard to believe.

I do think the sox floating players to the rays and seeing which ones they like in order to improve their own valuations is a decent idea. But the problem is I also trust the rays to proactively make the player better, so they may have plans for cease the sox don't have.

Right but there is a chance that this was always necessary. I don't necessarily trust sox valuations, but what if they already weren't confident Cease would be a starting pitcher? They'd also have a need to upgrade him, so they were always in that boat.

It's only self-defeating if Cease turns out good but he's a very risky prospect.

That part on the blue jays seems spot on, it has been weird to anticipate their moves.

I'd recommend reading this, though the sox part won't blow your mind. http://espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28258331/gerrit-cole-watch-big-spenders-more-passan-answers-20-winter-meetings-questions If there are any other good winter meeting previews feel free to post here.

True, just there was so much followup even nationally here. And if there was a physical concern...Marcell, my man, you do not want to be the one leaking you signed only to have it fall through!

It's basically impossible to get anything out like this. You get outfield assists and basically nothing else. Asking a cardinals fan is probably the best we can do.

I don't understand why the flying would need to happen though. There is enough eyes on this that the agreement in place is enough for it to be reported. The idea that he has an informal offer and he personally has decided he'll take the white sox but hasn't told anyone yet is an odd scenario. And there has been enough pushback that no agreement is in place that even if he signs here it's hard to believe this report was accurate.

Yeah Blackmon probably the best, murphy could swing as a DH (though hopefully not). Desmond...man he is bad. If we acquired davis I'd really want tthat to lessen the prospects as he is so bad its essentially giving them money. Honestly lets just give them money at this point.