Lillian

I'm only up to page 804 of this collective rant, but I'd like to interject that it seems unfair to fault Hahn or K. W. for this failure. If ownership told them that they would not go beyond a certain level, that pretty much tied their hands. It's hard to imagine that they will now turn their attention to Harper, who is seeking even more money. Although it is possible that they are prepared to spend more on him, than they were on Machado. I seriously doubt it, as I'm sure do most of you. I do not want to watch Alonso and Jay taking at bats away from youngsters, who may have a place on this team, going forward, or could develop into useful trade chips. I would much prefer to see what we have in Palka and even Engel, than watch two guys who have no future with this team. I hope that they will be able to remove those guys from the roster, even if they have to practically give them away and eat the contracts. If not, the front office will have done precisely what they vowed not to do, ie; acquire short term fixes, which do not at all fit the "long term" plan. The one thing that seems a little inconsistent to me is the first response from K. W., in which he expressed such surprise, as though he wasn't given a chance to top the Padres' bid. Then, in the next breadth, he says that they just couldn't go 10 years and $300 Million. So, which is it?

I was fortunate enough to be there, that night. Thanks for the memories.

Very aptly put. This better not ultimately be the resolution of all of these contemplated moves. By contrast, Machado at 3RD, T. A. at SS and Moncada at 2ND could become one of the best defensive infields in the game, and might also be capable of terrific offensive production. The contrast couldn't be more glaringly obvious.

All of this hysteria is over these obvious, yet questionable negotiating tactics. So, there might be some possibly unethical tactics being employed by Lozano, as the Sox pursue baseball's "bad boy" through negotiations with his sleazeball agent. Why should any of us be surprised? The bigger surprise would have been a normal, quick resolution.

Wow, Moustakas taking another one year deal. His chances for a big free agency contract are dwindling quickly. I'm surprised he has taken this route.

OK, sure, why not?: 2B Moncada 3B Machado RF Harper DH Abreu LF Eloy 1B Alonso C Castillo CF Jay SS Anderson Please note the left/right sequence: SH, RH, LH, RH, RH, LH, RH, LH, RH. POTENTIALLY, the best lineup in baseball!!!! "Just do it!" Now, about the pitching: Um......?

Is that too front loaded? What would be permitted?

Why would it be so hard to give them both the $300 M? They just need to structure the deal so that at least one of them will likely opt out after year 4 or 5. Give them both the first 5 years at $35 M each and the last five at $25 M. per year. The Sox could manage the early years and then likely lose one, or both of them, when it's time to extend our kids, after we've won a couple of World Series. LOL

It's "over kill". They need pitching.

Why in the world would they still want Joc? The outfield would be Eloy, Jay and Harper. Geez, how much more hitting do you want? They will need 1 or 2 starters, if they intend to make a run for the Division this year.

Thanks. He looks very strong. Those are the widest shoulders, I think that I have ever seen on a Sox player. Reminds me of Greg Luzinski. He might have benefited by gearing his training more toward slimming down.

Would someone please post the picture, or a link, of Jake Burger? Please don't tell me that he has gained even more weight. He wasn't exactly svelte, to begin with. Not smart and one would think not helpful for his achilles tendon.

I think that you missed my point. Yes, Manny and his agents want the most money, that they can get and ownership of the various bidding teams wants the least expensive contract, that Manny is willing to sign. Both sides will be motivated by "greed". However, so what? That's the way it works. I agree with you. Neither side is expected to be charitable. It's business.

YES, that is pretty much the definition of "greed". The issue is, is that good, or bad, or not even an issue. According to Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglas); "Greed is good". And yes, the label applies to both sides. It's called self interest. Neither side should be expected to be altruistic about these negotiations. Each side will look out for its own best interests. T

I'm curious, what would you guess the agent's cut of Machado's contract would be?

If the Yankees actually offered him 7 years and $220 Million, then the Sox must have offered the alleged 8 years, $250 Million, or he would have already signed with N. Y.

And just what would that prove? Why not afford him the Major League playing time, in an attempt to find out whether, or not, he might have a place on the team, going forward? In a couple of years, when both Alonso and Jay are gone, Palka could be a useful DH. Moreover, it is likely that the Sox would have to give up a couple of arms, in order to acquire Joc and I don't think that they're in a position yet, to be giving up pitchers.

1) Because he is not a #2 hole hitter. He is a middle of the order, run producer, which places him 3RD or 4TH. 2) Yes, I am always conscious of the need for balance in the lineup, and the Sox have not had much in the way of left handed, middle of the order bats. However, Joc would not figure into the future core of this team, and I would prefer to find out whether, or not Palka might be. If Joc is acquired, Palka would not get many at bats.

I'd prefer that they not trade for Pederson, but rather give the at bats to Palka. A platoon of Guyer and Palka would be fine, with Engel as a late inning, defensive replacement, I would start Jay in CF and move him to LF, to replace Palka, when Engel is brought in. I don't think that Machado would be happy batting second, and I would agree with him. Here is my lineup: 2B Moncada CF Jay 3B Machado DH Abreu 1B Alonso RF Jimenez Lf Palka C. Castillo SS Anderson

What am I missing? What would Kevin Durant know about the MLB Hot Stove?

That doesn't sound "dumb" at all, to me. I agree with you that the contract should ideally be structured in such a way that we retain him for at least 4 and preferably 5 years. After that, I might actually prefer that he opted out, which would ultimately reduce the total effective cost of the contract. How about something like this?: The first 5 years at $40 Million, per year and the last 3 at $25 Million, per year, for a total of $275 million. That should be enough for him to sign, in a heart beat.

I suspect that Eloy will be in RF, Jay in CF and Palka in LF, platooning with Guyer.

The tweet said "Minor League Deal". What would you guess the odds are that he just ends up spending the season at Charlotte?

Yes, he has been a very good hitter vs. lefties, in his career. Looks like a platoon partner for Palka.

Has everyone here carefully considered the consequence of reducing the service time required for players to achieve free agent status? Those who assume that such a move will result in better contracts for players, should reconsider and study the history of free agency. It is a simple matter of supply and demand. Marvin Miller understood the principle, and shrewdly negotiated one of the most significant elements of free agency: "In July 1976, the union and management agreed on limitations to free agency: a player would need six years of major league service before he could seek a deal with another club. That accord seemed like a concession Mr. Miller did not need to make. But he concluded that limiting the stream of free agents would fuel the ball clubs’ bidding wars."