Jack Parkman

Really, even better. They should get this guy.

I actually would prefer to move Harper as the Sox are loaded with OF prospects and they can use anyone not named Robert/Basabe/Gonzalez for filling holes via trade. Maybe Walker can play CF, idk.

Go Rick. Whip out your junk and put it on the table

Kikuchi

An extra 20M on top of the contract.

I think he would be worth the gamble, if he comes in at around 15M AAV or less

There was a report that Dombrowski suggested having an offseason deadline after which rosters are locked until Pitchers and Catchers report. I think December 31 would be a nice date for that.

Be prepared to be agonized over the next 4-6 weeks.

Unless they are reporting a deal is done, and others confirm, nobody. Everything that is reported short of an actual deal is bullshit, even from Rosenthal. The only reports I'd give any sort of credibility to is someone is close to an agreement or has agreed to a deal.

I know, that is why I said "possibly" in there? Not trying to be an ass, but reading the entire post is your friend.

I believe that anything reported about Harper and Machado is fake news until multiple outlets report that an agreement has been reached. Everything short of an actual signing is complete and utter bullshit.

The correct answer is the only people who know the truth are Boras and Harper. I doubt even Hahn and KW know what's actually happening, as keeping GMs in the dark is part of Boras' negotiating schtick.

This is what has happened at the winter meetings this year: Sox trade for Nova Phillies sign McCutchen Rays sign Morton Yankees possibly re-sign JA Happ That's it. I'm not sure it should be a thing anymore.

10/375 for Harper with a front loaded structure with no opt out or a balanced structure with an opt out after years 4 and 6 10/350 for Machado with the same structure considerations depending on whether an opt out is necessary to get the job done.

Agreed. I don't think they should sign anyone that they wouldn't sign anyway until Harper or Machado signs. If they lose out on other targets, so be it. I think Grandal and Pomeranz/Lynn are guys they'd sign anyway. Anyone else, I disagree with completely.

Completely agreed. Karlsson isn't as bad as most think he is defensively(average to slightly above for an NHL D) but you can live with that due to his offensive output.

Boqvist is lighting up the OHL after adjusting to the smaller ice. I maintain that Boqvist will be the 2nd best defenseman from the 2018 draft after Dahlin. Boqvist has been compared to a young Erik Karlsson and I don't think that comparison is too far off. He has 9+15=24 in 22 games for the London Knights. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/265684/adam-boqvist

I've been to LA, NYC and live in the Chicago area, and Chicago is cleaner and nicer than the other two by far......and I'm not only talking about the Loop. I have zero desire to ever go to NYC again.

Yes, but the only difference between a 60 win team and a 75 win team is draft order. I'd rather watch the 60 win team and pick higher.

The latter. I'm fine with Grandal no matter what, the young pitchers need a better receiver behind the plate. They could sign Brantley too all it costs is money. That should be it though.

If you are always disciplined and rational on a free agent, you'll never sign anyone. However, yeah, the Cubs are a cautionary tale for how a bad contract can fuck shit up PDQ

If the Sox sign Brantley, I'd imagine because of Eloy that would take them out of the Harper sweepstakes because Where's he going to play? The only way that works is if the three players rotate through DH like Stanton and Judge.

LOL

Boras and Lozano are going to play a huge game of chicken. Neither wants to have egg on their face getting the lesser deal for their client. I'll be stunned if either signs before January 20th. We're still 4-6 weeks away from a resolution, imo

Now that we know Machado's not signing this week, we can safely assume that both he and Harper are going to drag out into January