southsider2k5

That's how I read it, just that their offer wasn't one that was so good that they actually wanted to sign it.

I am guessing that is more because of English being his second language than anything else.

There was also nothing to gain by saying this off season would be a disappointment if they didn't sign one.

Also this. Really, this would have to be something coming directly from Jerry, but I would imagine that Rick would know this stuff ahead of time.

How do "sources" know?

And neither will Harper.

That's why I don't believe it. The need for secrecy would be way too high, and one side has incentive for information to flow freely. It doesn't add up.

This is exactly why this scenario would never work. Scott Boras would NEVER agree to keep negotiations quiet if he thought he was leaving money on the table. Even then, he would figure out a way to get the information to Philly to get them to bid up anyway.

The idea is that if the Machado deal gets out, Philly may go crazy to get Harper. The idea is that the Sox can secretly get Harper in the fold before the Phillies know, it will be too late. IE, if you believe this line of thinking.

This is the early leader for the News Story of the Year, 2019.

One of the standard Hawk rants is about how if he were running an organization, he'd have all failing MiLB pitchers try a knuckleball when they were about to be out of baseball. His point was always that if what you are doing now isn't working, why wouldn't you try something different to further your career? The idea that all players are going to work into a one size fits all basis is false. A perfect example is Walt Hriniak. While Frank Thomas worked like a dream with him, others couldn't do it.

No. Just, no.

Will be interesting to see if they just double up in DC, or if they look to move that piece again.

In typical years, when these kinds of things start, it usually means someone is about to blink. This off-season is so messed up, this is probably legit.

And the congregation said AMEN!

Since when were the Yankees even a possibility for Harper? Come on.

If you can get a guy who you have belief in to sign one of these, you do it every single time. The cost savings at the end of it if a guy pans out is HUGE. If it doesn't, the numbers being talked about here aren't the backbreakers that failed free agents can be.

HOpefully it really does work out. It would be awesome to get back the college level Fulmer, as that would give us an SP that no one expected.

At half a billion, it might be possible. No way it would be that cheap though. You'd need both players signing in the $250 million range. While Machado might, Bryce won't.

When your strategy isn't really to make an impression on a free agent, but to make just enough of an impression to be barely ahead of the next team, this is the expected result.