Lillian

One might ask why the Phillies would not go ahead and make an offer above the rumored Sox bid. The answer could be that, realizing they will not win a bidding war with the Sox, they believe that it is in their best interest to not have Manny's contract be so expensive that it would negatively impact their negotiations with Harper. Whatever Manny gets, Boras will demand more for Harper. The less he gets, the more that helps the Phillies in their negotiations with Harper.

I really hope that we are not going down the "Manny at SS" road again. His value is significantly diminished by his playing SS. Moreover, instead of filling a hole, that would leave the hole at 3RD and force Anderson to learn a new position. The infield defense would be stellar, with Machado at 3RD, T. A. at SS and either Moncada or Madrigal at 2ND. Why mess with that? If Machado is making that a condition, for signing, I would personally be ready to just move on. However, I really doubt that is the case. We all know that his earlier desire to play SS was likely for the purpose of increasing his value to suitors. If the case of the Sox, it decreases his value. Of course, there is also the possibility that he is using it as a ploy to raise the price, by suggesting that he will agree to play 3RD, if the Sox agree to increase the value of the contract.

What if the Dodgers are really trying to clear an OF spot for Harper, and the Pollock talk is just a ploy to throw off the Phillies? I doubt that they would be that determined to trade Pederson, in order to sign Pollock.

If it takes this rebuild until 2023 - 2024 to produce a contender, then I would have to agree that it has failed. Our best young core is arguably Moncada, Jimenez, Robert, Madrigal, Kopech, Lopez, Cease, Dunning, Anderson, Collins and whomever they select with the #3 pick, in this year's Draft. It is too early to assume anything, but it is being projected that they will take Andrew Vaughn. Here are the ages, for those players, in 2023: Moncada 28 Jimenez 27 Robert. 26 Madrigal. 26 Kopech 27 Lopez. 29 Cease 28 Dunning 29 Anderson 30 Collins 28 Vaughn. 25 Those guys should have established what kind of players they are going to be, earlier than those ages. There are very few outstanding prospects, in the organization, who are younger than these players, so it is likely that the rebuild will depend heavily on this core. The other names, such as Burdi, Rutherford, Basabe, Adolfo and Hansen are all in this same age group. Again, if they haven't figured it out until they are that old, then at least this phase of the rebuild will have indeed failed. We would be looking at guys approaching arbitration and would have to depend upon a whole new crop of prospects, or be prepared to spend some big money.

I have not watched Pederson play, very much, so I'm not qualified to render an opinion on his defense. I was reacting to the very negative defensive metrics that some of you pointed out. Regarding Palka, I understand that he is very unpolished in the outfield. However, there are two points which the scouting reports suggest, which contradict the assertion that he is slow and has a weak arm. He actually runs pretty well, for a big man and now at 15 pounds lighter, it will be interesting to see how he runs. He was a relief pitcher at Georgia Tech, with a fastball in the low 90's and has never had an arm or shoulder injury, so asserting that he has a "noodle arm," might be a little unfair. Could he learn to be a passable defender, at a corner outfield position? I don't know, but if so, his LH bat might be worth giving him more playing time. He is cheap and controllable for several more years, as he was only a rookie, last year.

If they acquired Pederson, I would assume that he would play a corner OF and Jay would be in CF. After seeing the really poor defensive metrics on Joc, I'm wondering if Palka might end up being just as good as he is. Palka has lost 15 pounds, has a good arm, and runs pretty well. I assume he now runs even better than last year, now that he is lighter. He has been working hard on his defense, and he might surprise us. In any case, Engel would be a good late inning defensive replacement. He could take over in CF, and Jay could move to the corner, to replace Palka.

That is not likely, in that he knows that next year could have both Rendon and Arenado in the competition.

I continue to hope that his contract will have an opt out, as long as it isn't earlier than year 4, or preferably year 5. As many of us have contended, that would keep him on the team, for his prime and also keep him motivated. I love the idea of him playing for another contract, during his time on the Sox.

What is the possibility that Machado has already signed with the Sox, but that both sides have agreed not to disclose it? There are several possible reasons to withhold the information: 1) It could provide better bargaining leverage for the Sox, in their efforts to acquire other pieces, for a competitive run at the Division, this year. 2) It could keep the Phillies from making a desperate offer for Harper, as the only "whale" left, in this year's free agent market. That would give the Sox a chance to make a trade with the Dodgers (Pederson), who may have interest in Harper, but would need to clear an outfield spot and salary, for him. This would keep the price for Harper down, as it would be perceived that there were still two "whales" available, in the free agency market, as opposed to just one. It would be to Manny's advantage not to disclose the deal, as well, because it helps the his new team acquire more pieces. 3) It is possible, but not likely, that there is some interest to maximize the announcement's publicity impact, related to Sox Fest, or the sports news cycle. I doubt any of that, but some may have a different opinion. Would such withholding of the contract's announcement even be permissible, or would it be in violation of the C.B.A.? These are all merely questions. I have no idea.

I understand that there are rumors regarding LA's desire to trade Pederson, but have the Dodgers expressed any interest in moving Hill?

If the Sox were to acquire Pederson and sign Machado, the lineup would not only be competitive, but it would finally have good Left Handed balance, with fewer strike outs and very respectable On Base %. Look at these career OBP stats for those players: Jay .352 .350 (Vs. RHP) Pederson. .339 .355 (Vs. RHP) Alonso .336 .346 (Vs. RHP) Machado .335. .333 (Vs. RHP) Manny hits RH Pitching as well as he hits LH Pitching With Eloy added to that lineup, you have 5 new starters, who were not part of last year's debacle. The Bullpen has already been "fixed". Now, add one more #2 or #3 starter and you have a team which should be able to compete, in our weak division, which is incidentally predominantly filled with RH starting pitching. If Manny doesn't want to come to Chicago, because he doesn't want to wait until the farm system produces a winning team, this should be encouraging to him. Once Robert, Kopech, Cease and a few more prized prospects join the team, in 2020, they could be very formidable.

Has anyone posted this link?:

That scenario has crossed my mind, but it just seems like an awful lot of money and effort to expend on a misdirection. That would be quite a complex strategy. Most importantly, what would they be gaining by such a tactic? Would all of these overtures toward Machado be to simply convince Boras and his client, that they aren't really interested in acquiring him, because they prefer Machado?

I see. Thanks. Well, it is the best choice of words, in that sentence. I guess "foiled" would be just as good. Sports writers would probably say "derail," or "block". Aren't words wonderful?

Sorry, I don't get it????

It's hard to believe the Yankees wouldn't love to have Machado. I suspect that they are being so coy, simply because they know that he wants to play for them. Why should they aggressively court a guy, whom they know wants to be on their team? My hope is that Machado and his agent can see through this charade, and that Manny becomes a little miffed, and decides that he is no longer so enamored with the Yankee mystic. Come on Manny, come to the South Side and lead this young team to thwart the Yankees' quest for yet another World Championship.

If we want to get all conspiratorial, this latest report that the Yankees prefer Arenado could be a ploy to entice Manny to sign with his "favorite" team. If he still has hopes of playing for N. Y., perhaps after an opt out with us, this could scare him into signing with them now, before they acquire another long term third baseman.

That analysis seems quite plausible. Thank you for the thoughtful insight.

You may have misunderstood me. I agree with you, that the greater need is pitching.

If the argument against acquiring more starting pitching now, is that there are too many good pitching prospects, who will arrive in the next couple of years, then applying the same argument, would assert that there are too many good outfield prospects coming, to merit acquiring another one now.

If one thinks that a team must have big offensive contributors at every spot in the lineup, then that would be their assessment, regarding the Sox. Teams rarely have great hitters, at every spot in the lineup, including the Indians. Look who batted in the bottom third of the lineup. Yes, Lindor and Ramirez are terrific, but the Indians have not had potent 7, 8 and 9 hitters. My preference is to have a productive to 2/3 of the lineup, and focus more on defense from your bottom third, typically from the centerfielder and catcher, or SS. It's pitching that wins championships. It always has been and always will be. The only new wrinkle, in this era, is that the bullpens have become as important as the starting rotation.

"Poor man's version". Interesting choice of words. Hardly, when considering the cost of Machado and Pollock. Seriously, if Machado is acquired, the Sox do not need to add any other position players. The biggest need is pitching, pitching and pitching!! One more starter, and a good one, at a minimum.

This team would be loaded with very likable, seemingly "nice" guys. They also happen to almost all be Latinos. It's easy to see them "rubbing off" on Manny. There doesn't seem to be a "bad egg" in the bunch. The more I think about it, the more I like having the veteran guys, like Abreu, Jay and Alonso around. Throw in Yolmer's infectious personality and Machado might just become a nice guy, himself, just to fit in. LOL. There's nothing wrong with playing with a "chip on your shoulder" but throwing bats, in retaliation for a dust back pitch and kicking first basemen's ankles is carrying that chip a little too far.

Counter balancing Manny's questionable character might be the most constructive effect of having Jay and Alonso on the team. They are both model "citizens" and could help keep Manny in line. In any case, I would look more to them and Abreu to help mold the young Latinos, like Robert, Moncada and Jimenez. Maybe all of them will help Machado to mature a little. After all, he is pretty young, himself.

Let's hope that if he's signed, that his influence will be of a positive nature. Sure, he is a great player, but not much of a role model, otherwise. Is there anything that suggests that he is a good mentor to younger players?