southsider2k5

Let's be real here. This is what superstar negotiations look like in MLB. The 2nd and 3rd tier guys are much easier to get deals done with as their markets are set by guys like Manny Machado. Because guys like Manny don't come along often, it is way more wide open. The spread isn't a million or two a year, the spread here could be as much as $100,000,000. How does that gap get bridged? You are watching it happen in excruciating detail. Quit living and dying with each detail and you will live longer.

There really is no need for this. The 50s called and they wanted to pass on that using females as a way to insult men died with them.

It was time. I said it would happen going into this winter and wasn't surprised at all by it.

So how do we tell the difference? Lol.

It won't though. People will hold on to the grudge whether it is rational or not, no matter what happens.

They are 100% linked. If the Sox don't sign a whales, the details will mean nothing. There will be meltdowns galore.

The thing is, if it succeeds, none of this matters. If it fails, it will be held onto for decades.

Good luck to him. The kid always played and worked hard.

We go through this cycle with every star player, and then they end up signing for more than anyone thought possible. Being fully realistic here, I see no scenario in which the Sox sign Manny Machado in the lo 200 millions for a total contract value.

Am I reading this right where he seems to be more conciliatory to someone who beat up his girlfriend, than someone who went on TV and talked about his experiences? That is awful.

He's also a pretty long term Soxtalker from back in the day.

Apparently he needs to quit hustling or something.

If you take on that contract, they will probably give him to you.

Accurate.

Also this. As of today, he is only missing 2019, and will probably have a full winter and spring to go back into game shape. Maybe he even makes it to fall league. If he does this in late March, it destroys all of 2019. It also means no chance at fall league, winter ball, or anything else like this. On a less conservative side, it would also take out his spring training, pushing his return into May or June. On a worse side scenario he could miss all of 2019 AND a decent amount of 2020.

There was zero chance that Michael Kopech was getting shutdown without an injury to go to AAA a 3rd time in 2019, with any honest ability at all to try to claim that it was performance related and not control related. The Sox would have rightfully had a grievance filed against them, and probably would have lost the year of control anyway. This would have also put Kopech behind in an attempt to grow his innings as he had thrown 134 in 2017, but only 126 in 2018. This was counter to the desire to push him up to 150/160 innings to get him ready for a full major league season.

Pay attention to the wording. This standoff over what "offer" is on the table could well be a lot of lawyer speak from both sides. We know the Sox put a formal 7 year offer on the table. If the 8/250 was a verbal offer, or something that was floated in discussions it is 100% true to say that they have not revised the original offer, as that took a different, and more formal, form. In a situation like this, technically both sides would be right. The original offer would not have been revised, but another less formal offer could be out there.

It does not. This group is going to have zero direct information on the negotiations from JR.

Stop yourself there. Kopech was not injured because of his throwing schedule.

While he has nothing that jumps off an screams superstar, I am going to say he has the highest floor of all of the OFs not named Eloy. He also has across the board very good tools, and really isn't a guy with a large hole in him game so far. He feels like a guy that will have a 10-12 year solid career.

Ex-Eagle Parkey blows the game for the Bears. Ex-Bear Jeffrey blows the game for the Eagles. Seems fitting.

Wow, I learned some new things there. Crazy, especially the Pippen trade offers.

Bottom line: Lots of optimism, but no real idea or timeline.

Yeah you are right greg, the Sox should go back to tanking.