G&T

...but the Dodgers don't have the money without moving players, and the rumors to the effect that he wants to go there only serve to lower any offer they make. It's the same with Machado and the Yankees. I get that the players wanted big money teams that are immediate contenders, but those teams aren't spending right now. These rumors make for easy sports writer fodder, but they are superficial claims. Obviously if they want less money to play in those places, then more power to them. Not that I think it will happen (and I doubt the Sox would spend the money), but both players coming to the Sox makes the team an immediate contender and they both get paid.

Wait, aren’t you the guy with the source saying the Yankees visit was for the agent’s relationship? I mean if that’s true, doesn’t this fit that narrative? A short meeting, dinner and that’s it?

The full video is interesting because he talks about the importance of family and his wife feeling “safe” and then referred to the White Sox as “we”. I don’t think he knows anything about Machado, but he knows the selling points the Sox are making. I also think he’s sick of hearing everyone wants to play for the Yankees.

Maybe, but it would be better to reschedule so everyone in the organization can focus. These are major organizational undertakings, and aren't handled in 90 minutes on your way to a funeral. Totally bizarre. My first impression is that it shows a lack of professionalism/serious interest by the Yankees.

Timing is only relevant to the impression you make. People remember the first and last, but there are only 3. In any event, if the Phillies offer more, they are going to give the Sox a chance to match. That’s how you drive prices up. Everyone is used for leverage.

Well, that should be interesting. You steeped the second bag separately and then dumped that separate mash in? Should be fine. If you steeped the grains at boiling temp, then it could add bitterness. On the other hand, something always goes screwy during a brew day and I haven't lost a beer yet.

What kit? You needed some fermentable in the boil. Anyway, the color always looks darker in the fermenter simply because of the volume you're looking through. There's also a lot of crap in there that will settle. There are some things you can do during the boil to control the color, but i wouldn't worry about it. The flavor should be fine.

Eh. More likely the same few teams are interested in both and each took their week to meet those teams. Harper was in Vegas and Machado is this week. Teams have to be given the chance to prepare presentations for each. I wouldn't read much into it. I do read A LOT into the Phillies not meeting Harper. On what planet is that a good choice? I've never heard a player say they enjoyed free agency. They waited for it, and then when they actually had to meet the teams and make the choice it kinda sucks. I'm not sure anyone would want to needlessly drag it out for another month.

There's also this at mlb.com In any event, that seems to make two teams downplaying interest while the White Sox are silent.

If three teams are public, how would one other manage to keep a secret that well?

I’m skeptical, obviously, but we do know that the Sox traded for Alonzo and the meetings for NY and Philly are 1 day visits. It’s evidence that, if a decision has been made, the Sox know it. But normally you wouldn’t let a bidder know that before visiting everyone.

True but also think about the time, effort, energy and money going into meeting with these free agents. That’s a LOT of wasted resources if you aren’t serious.

Ok but there is some evidence that the Yankees and Indians couldn’t make a deal work.

But that would not have been said. No agent can guarantee what a client will do when they haven’t even made their visits yet. Clearly this was a big deal to Machado’s wife.

So the Sox shouldn’t try? What the hell? Maybe it means they have to get a dude’s wife’s brother as well but so what?

I agree but if means so much then why didn’t the Phillies do it?

I don’t see a scenario where the Sox limit their ability to get one of those guys. They made an offer.

well there’s another way to read the quote. It could be that Hahn and Harper have agreed on a number and JR hasn’t authorized the final amount and, therefore, hasn’t authorized final contract negotiations. It would signal to other teams that they aren’t drafting paperwork so no deal is imminent. Which may or may not be true. I think it’s more likely nobody knows anything and they are just waiting.

It’s weird. Obviously a GM is hired to negotiate contracts and is always authorized to do so. Final approval is decided by the ownership. If they weren’t authorized to negotiate then they’d be out and Hahn would say they aren’t interested.

The Harper situation isn't hard to read. He expected to go to a big money club like the Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers, BoSox or wherever and make tons of money and win. The problem is that he is not worth the money to those teams. Either he takes less money and goes to a contender, or takes the most money to play for the White Sox who see intrinsic value on top of the stats, and might be good soon. I suspect the Sox and Phillies are just sitting on their offers while the other teams try to see if they can get close enough to make the choice easy for him. I doubt anyone is "out" at this point.

It's not competition in the capitalist sense, it's just politics. What you don't realize is that as soon as one company gets these incentives, every company already in the city or state will ask for the same with little fanfare or attention. Wisconsin is now dealing with Kimberly Clark as an example. It undermines the tax base and shifts the burden to homeowners, who then complain about the cost of living...and then leave.

Explain how my comment showed intolerance for his opinion other than by establishing disagreement based on a rather obvious flaw which I believe has formed the basis for many of his arguments. Then explain how anyone is supposed to reply to his easily contradicted over generalized accusation which he later supports by unverifiable evidence. In other words, what would be a tolerant response to his statements? What you are doing is disengenuisly requiring people with opposing opinions to debate in a manner that suits your needs. You then attack the arguer based on your set of rules rather than the argument. What’s laughable is that “the left” is accused of intolerance and hypocrisy for arguing passionately while “the right” can’t be accused of the same for one reason: intolerance on the right is consistent with its message. This is what underlies wrath’s blatantly false statement comparing republicans and democrats. Further, he expects to be treated with tolerance while he attacks a sexual assault victim in an era when we are realizing how serious such claims should be taken. His lack of tolerance for the victim is of no consequence, of course, and should be understood and accepted just as though he were an immigrant child separated from his family, or a family struggling to pay medical bills. I’ll answer one question of yours. No, his opinion won’t be changed. That’s not why he is here anyway. He’s entitled to whatever damn opinion he wants. But opinion is subject to disagreement.

So you're referring to unverifiable "facts" but ignoring objective realities? Seems consistent.

First, this isn't a criminal trial and the statute of limitations has run, so innocence isn't a factor. Candor toward the Senate is a factor. Second, I think the "lack of memory" from everyone at the time is because they don't want to admit that many of them were totally open to the drinking, sex and whatever the hell was going on. They don't want to admit to any of it, and Ford is struggling to tell a true story without exposing all of them. I actually don't know if this event even registered in Kavanaugh's mind, but I think he is lying to protect the broader community that doesn't want any of their pasts to come out. Of course, that doesn't mean he should be a Supreme Court justice. His utter lack of candor outright lying is not acceptable.

That analysis ignores decades of dismissing victims of priest abuse. It's only changed because of the proof of a high level cover up. You are right in that male victims are given more credibility in general than female victims. I think it's also challenging because the people in charge of enforcing the laws are also abusers.