Lillian

Well, if you don't subscribe to that line of thinking, you are likely to be pretty disappointed in Madrigal. A player needs a lofty Slugging %, in order to have a high OPS.

Again, OPS is not that relevant for a #2 hole hitter. Focus on OBP: 2018 OBP: Engel .275 vs. Jay .330 Moreover, Jay had a decent first half, with the Royals, in our division, before being traded. He hit .277 with a .346 in the first half, and had very limited playing time, in the second half, when his numbers fell, dramatically. Put another way, would you even dream of batting Engel in the 2 hole?

He has made 2 errors, in the last 4 seasons. I don't know how much his range his diminished, but that is a pretty steady glove.

Frankly, I had been thinking that, even with Machado, or Harper, the #2 hole, in the lineup, was a hole that would need to be filled, with a decent OBP hitter. That, coupled with the complete lack of offensive production from Engel, although you know I love his defense, made me consider acquiring either Pollock or Jay, for a centerfield placeholder, while Robert develops. I think this move is just fine, for a short term solution. Whoever plays CF this year, is going to have to be a plus defender, given the anticipated weak defense in the outfield corners. Even if they signed Harper, that problematic outfield defense would be an issue. Jay gives the Sox a competent defensive centerfielder and potentially fills the # 2 spot in the order, which was indeed a "hole". OPS is not that relevant, for the #2 hitter, as it is weighted heavily toward Slugging %. It is On Base % that makes a good #2 hitter.

Here are Jay's Career stats, in various spots, in the batting order: I Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ Batting 1st 340 332 1559 1403 204 386 75 12 9 113 17 13 92 265 .275 .338 .365 .703 512 20 44 12 7 3 16 .332 93 Batting 2nd 260 241 1068 947 160 281 41 8 9 78 19 10 70 177 .297 .359 .385 .745 365 24 24 24 3 0 10 .356 104 Batting 3rd 12 1 13 12 2 3 2 0 1 6 0 0 0 1 .250 .308 .667 .974 8 0 1 0 0 0 0 .200 164 Batting 4th 8 1 14 12 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 .083 .214 .083 .298 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .111 -17 Batting 5th 38 23 104 96 12 34 6 2 3 16 1 2 6 20 .354 .388 .552 .940 53 0 0 1 1 0 3 .419 156 Batting 6th 98 85 361 319 38 84 14 0 5 41 4 0 26 51 .263 .331 .354 .685 113 11 9 1 6 5 3 .294 88 Batting 7th 118 102 417 376 27 108 17 0 5 35 8 5 28 59 .287 .346 .372 .719 140 18 7 4 2 5 4 .328 97 Batting 8th 109 67 301 256 35 77 12 1 1 17 4 3 27 56 .301 .389 .367 .756 94 8 12 3 3 9 4 .376 108 Batting 9th 148 22 225 188 35 56 9 2 3 21 2 0 23 40 .298 .400 .415 .815 78 8 9 5 0 0 2 .366 123 Given his age, he is not likely to match his career stats, but anywhere around a .340, or higher OBP is fine for a 2 hole hitter. I still like Moncada as a leadoff hitter, given his speed. Jay profiles just fine as a #2, followed by the heart of the order. Hopefully, that would include Machado and, or Harper.

How do you think the player's agent would feel about such a contract? What is most advantageous for him?

Each successive Machado thread seems to degenerate into increasingly weird and inane discussions. Some of you have really "lost it," I'm afraid.

This report provides some insight and hope for him to return to form: http://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2019/01/forget-kimbrel-sign-kelvin-herrera

It's hard to imagine that they would put him on the roster, with the expectation that he won't be able to pitch until 2020, if that's the case.

Is that Sox offer confirmed? I thought that was just speculation, by some of the reporters, who said that the Sox offer is "closer to $200 million". If that is true, I would guess $210 million, which would be $30 Million per year, for the 7 years. That's where the opt out could make the difference. If the Sox offered $35 million per year, for the first 5 years, with an opt out, after the 5TH year, and $25 Million, for each of the last 2 years, that might be enough to entice him to the South Side. If the Yankees have a $30 million per year offer, on the table, the Sox are probably going to have to go to approximately $35 million per year, at least for the first 5 years, in order to move the needle.

Here was his scouting report, back in 2015, when he was with the Yankees: Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50 The Yankees didn't have a first-round pick in 2014, but they may have gotten a first-round talent with their top choice (second round, 55th overall). Lindgren helped pitch Mississippi State to the College World Series as a starter in 2013, then became one of college baseball's most dominant relievers last spring. He reached Yankee Stadium 11 months after signing, though his first full pro season got put on hold when he had surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow in June. Lindgren's stuff jumped when he started working in shorter stints. His fastball improved from 87-91 mph to 91-95, and his slider became a legitimate knockout pitch at 82-84 mph with late bite. When hitters manage to make contact against him they have difficulty keeping the ball off the ground, which is why he surrendered just two extra-base hits between college and pro ball last year. Lindgren's sinking changeup gives him a decent third pitch that he doesn't need much now that he's not a starter. His control wavers at times, but once he shows he can throw strikes consistently, he could become the Yankees' closer of the future. He was a strike out machine, in his Jr. year at Mississippi State, striking out 100 batters in 55 innings. His Minor League totals were just as good, with 48 strike outs, in just 24 innings. Two TJ surgeries and a bone spur in his left elbow, for which he had surgery, are a lot, from which to come back. However if he's healthy, he could be a useful LH bullpen arm. I'll be rooting for him.

It would be interesting to hear your views on the issue of Machado playing SS. For my part, if he is insisting on that, his value would be significantly diminished. I wouldn't be in favor of paying him the kind of money being suggested, to play anywhere but 3B. I understand that his previous stance on wanting to play SS was likely more about increasing his value. However, at this point, he can maximize his value by agreeing to play where an interested team prefers that he play.

For me, if Madrigal cannot put up an OBP above .350, given his lack of power, he will not be a sufficiently productive player. I expect him to ultimately produce somewhere around Yolmer's 2018 stat line, with a higher OBP and fewer strike outs.

I agree and if that were the case, the Sox should be begging for an opt out clause, and then praying that someone offers even more after 5 years. $50 Million for his age 32 and 33 years would be imprudent, at best.

I guess that Levine and McGuffey could both be right, but the Sox could still be in this, as long as they're willing to offer $50 million per year, for 7 years. Ouch!!

It's hard to understand why the Yankees would commit a huge amount of money to another bat. They already have plenty of offense. They need pitching, which is still, along with the rest of the defense, 80% of the game. Cashman knows that. New York's front office is probably just trying to take advantage of Machado's infatuation with the Yankees, in an attempt to get him at a discount. If the Sox are really prepared to spend the money, I think that they can entice him to give up his Yankee dream. I also think that his wife, brother-in-law and agents would all be pushing him to take the bigger payday and forget about being a Yankee. I still like the front loaded contract, with an opt out, at around year 5. If they get Machado, I hope that the Sox use whatever else they plan on spending, on pitching. Again, it's much more important and is what wins championships. Spend the money on the starting rotation and the bullpen.

I just received an email from Bleacher Report, which might cheer up a few of you. It doesn't tell us anything that we don't already know, but at least they give some credence to the possibility, which is more than some of the recent sources: "The New York Yankees have featured in many Machado rumors, and the Bronx may be where he ends up. Consider the Chicago White Sox, however. The ChiSox don't boast the glamor and championship-strewn history of the Yankees. But they're an up-and-coming club loaded with young talent that might be a few pieces away from contending in the winnable AL Central. They also employ Yonder Alonso, who happens to be Machado's brother-in-law. Machado was recently "wooed" by the White Sox as well as the Yankees and Phillies, per ESPN.com's Coley Harvey. They have the second-least committed payroll for 2019, per Spotrac, meaning they can back up the Brink's truck if they want to. Assuming Machado is amenable to the South Side, Chicago is a dark-horse suitor to bet on."

I suspect that the Yankees are attempting to take advantage of Machado's openly professed preference to play for his life long favorite team. In that New York doesn't really need him, their front office is probably not going to be offering the most money. My hope is that this tactic will help to not only steer Macado toward the Sox, but also to tarnish his infatuation with the Yankees. It would be great if he signed with us and then carried a "chip on his shoulder" against New York. In any case, I don't see him signing with the Phillies, unless they offer significantly more money than the Sox. There are too many positive elements, all of which have been discussed here, to make Manny prefer the Sox, to the Phillies.

My guess would be Yasmani Grandal, who is another Latino. He's from Cuba and very close to Yonder. The accumulation of all of these Dominicans and Cubans does seem to indicate that it is intentional. Imagine our line up in 2020. Moncada, Machado, Eloy, Alonso, Abreu, Grandal, Robert, all from either Cuba or the Dominican Republic. Together with their Latino manager, this could be interesting. Just one big happy "familia"!! And in 2021, right field could be occupied by Basabe or Adolfo. Let me think, where are those guys from? Hmmmmm?? Poor Basabe. He might feel like an outsider. A real "misfit," being from Venezuela. LOL.

If the Cubs intend to not resign Bryant and they make that clear to Harper, then Bryce would very likely not want to go there.

I thought that Harper's motivation for his alleged interest in the Cubs, was that it would afford him the opportunity to play with his best friend. The Cubs moving Bryant would defeat that purpose. Moreover, if the Cubs acquired Harper, why wouldn't Bryant want to resign with them?

It should be noted that Alonso's stay on the South Side, could be a short one. However, the Machado's might very well have a say in just how long his tenure there would be. Wouldn't that make for some interesting contract negotiations?; "I'll sign, but you have to retain Yonder for at least X number of years". It wouldn't be the worst concession to make, as Yonder has been a pretty decent hitter, the last couple of years, if you can sit him versus LHP.

Do you most of you agree with this assessment?: Machado: He would love to play for his life long favorite team, the Yankees. However, they do not appear to be interested in giving him a long term contract, in the dollar range, he is seeking. Between the Phillies and Sox, given comparable offers, he probably prefers the Sox, because his wife would likely prefer being in Chicago, close to her brother, who is also Manny's closest friend, as well as a member of the Sox. Harper: He may prefer the Cubs, because of his buddy Bryant, or the Dodgers, because they are in LA, however the Cubs do not have the payroll flexibility and the Dodgers do not really seem eager to make the kind of financial expenditure required. They probably have more pressing needs. Between the Phillies and Sox, again the wife may play a critical role. If he signed with the Sox, he couldn't play along side his buddy, but at least his wife, who is very close with Bryant's wife, could be near her in Chicago. The city of Chicago should appeal to the Harpers, more than the City of Brotherly Love. Unless the Phillies blow past the Sox offer, why wouldn't he choose the Sox, over the Phillies? Just trying to provide a little hope and Holiday Cheer. Did it work, for any of you?

So, what if the Sox don't end up offering the most money? What if it's only $375 Million and the Phillies offer $400 Million? Perhaps it would be wise for Manny to also consider how this process might affect the fans' feelings about him. Imagine how much political capital he could garner, if he were to make his decision based upon factors other than simply the money. In any case, it's going to be an enormous amount of money, one to which few fans can relate. What if he decided to come to the Sox, explaining; "There were other very enticing offers, however I chose to play for the White Sox because my wife and I love the city of Chicago and see a very bright future for our organization, with so much very promising young talent. Moreover, this is a unique opportunity to play with my best friend, who also happens to be my wife's brother. We are all very close and this will make it possible for our families to enjoy spending more time together. I understand that I can probably best help my team by playing third base, as we already have a very good defender at short stop. I want to play wherever I can provide the most value to the team and help bring another championship to the South Side." That kind of statement would be the most politic thing that he could say, and could really endear him to the fans. Of course, given his recent history, it's doubtful that he would be inclined to express such sentiments, much less to actually mean them. Let's face it, he's no Jim Thome. In fact, there aren't many like Thome. This guy strikes me as someone who is very self centered and egotistical. Maybe fans don't even care about such things, anymore. But then again, remember that I'm from a "different time zone," as the Hawk likes to say. Then too, maybe his agents and the Players Association would be very upset about him taking anything less than the top dollar. Oh well, I know I'm dreaming, so Mr. Reinsdorf, just write that blank check and let's wrap this up.

Providing J. R. has no intention of signing both, to huge contracts, perhaps he should apply a little leverage, to counter the players' leverage of entertaining offers from multiple bidders. For example, the Sox front office could say; "We are prepared to offer one of you two a 10 year contract. It could include an opt out, after year 5 and pay $50 Million per year, for those first 5 years. Years 5 through 10 would be at a lesser amount, but the total contract would amount to $375 Million. The first one to take the offer, will be signed, which would take the offer off the table, for anyone else." In other words, if the players can use several teams, in an attempt to create a bidding war, why can't a team use two players, to create a competition for the big contract?