Lillian

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?

Russo is hard to take, but in this case, it's also hard to argue with him. The Sox are indeed "second class in the city".

Wow!, I was 15 then, and had a similar experience, but I'll never forget game one. I remember staying home from school, to watch the first game, with Early Wynn pitching for the Sox. That first game was the highlight of the Series for me, with the Sox winning big, shutting out the Dodgers, 11 to nothing. The sobering fact was that my mother refused to write an "excuse" note for me. The next day, I presented my homeroom teacher with a note from my mother. In it, she explained that she couldn't make me come to school, because I simply wouldn't miss the opening game of the World Series. The teacher immediately sent me to the Principal's office. After contritely and sheepishly listening to him lecture me about how such behavior was not acceptable, and what a bad example it would be for other students, he pointed out that "it really wasn't a very good game, after all, because it was so one-sided," to which I immediately perked up and excitedly replied: "Oh no, it was great. Wynn pitched a shut out and Ted Kluszewski hit 2 homers. It was fantastic!!" He just sent me back to my homeroom, with a feigned stern look, but I could see that he really struggled to hold back a smile. Thanks for reminding me. You must be about one year younger than I am. These young Sox fans think that they've suffered for so long. In those early days, there was never any doubt about who would win the American League Pennant. It was always a race for second place. The Yankees could have had their World Series tickets printed, before opening day. I don't know, maybe they actually did. But the Go, Go Sox surprised everyone, in '59.

My understanding is that there are three significant factors , regarding playing in Coors Field. Number one, the breaking balls don't break as much, because of the thin air. Number two, the ball travels further in that low density air and finally, there is an adjustment required when going from sea level, to much higher elevation.

Those players don't have to deal with the altitude adjustment, when they go on the road. It might be more interesting to look at their stats, only when the go on the road to Coors Field.

Now there's an insightful suggestion. Let another team overpay for Harper and, or need to off load some talent and salary. We could step in and "help" them out, with pleasure. We have plenty of outfield prospects coming, so a shorter term commitment might suit the Sox, just fine.

I think that they would want the very best defensive centerfielder possible, with Eloy and Harper at the corners. There would be plenty of offense and the production from CF would be rendered unimportant.

If the Sox sign Manny and not Harper, the Alonso move helps in another way. It provides a legitimate middle of the order, left handed bat, in what would otherwise be a very right handed heavy lineup. You know me, that's a factor, to which I always attribute considerable weight. Here is what the 2019 lineup would look like, vs. RHP: Moncada 2B Machado 3B Abreu. DH Alonso. 1B Eloy. LF Palka. RF Castillo. C Anderson. SS Engel. CF Robert takes over CF in 2020. Alonso's option is picked up (partially as a favor to Manny). If one of the Left handed hitting outfield prospects, such as Rutherford, Gonzales, Walker, or the switch hitting Basabe, demonstrates that they are ready, they could take Palka's place in RF, and he could return to DH'ing, after 2020. Hell, they might even keep Alonso and find a role for him.

Why would anyone expect to get any meaningful news today,, when he is scheduled to meet with the Phillies and Yankees, later in the week?

Perhaps. As I said, some may have a different perspective. That's just mine.

For those who don't understand, or agree with the point I'm making about Machado's demands, let me express it this way: If he is more valuable to the team, at 3RD base, rather than SS, why would he insist that he play short, and demand more money, in order to make a concession by playing his best defensive position? If none of this registers with you, then I guess that we simply have different perspectives. When one adds this egocentric crap to his other dubious behavior, especially during the Post Season, you have to at least question his character. Imagine how he might behave, once he has signed his big 10 year contract. At least now, one would think that he would try to be on his best behavior. Once he has inked a deal, who knows what kind of person will emerge? Perhaps having his best friend and wife's brother around to mentor him, or maybe "keep him in line" is a better choice of words, could be the biggest intangible benefit of signing Alonso. Maybe, we should extend Yonder, in the event Manny comes to the Sox, just to baby sit this guy. LOL.

I want to recognize the exemplary behavior of Abreu. It would be very surprising and out of character, if we ever heard this kind of BS from him. It's just one of the things that I find so endearing about Jose.

It would appear that Machado and his agent are simply using this positional preference as a negotiating ploy: https://larrybrownsports.com/baseball/manny-machado-move-to-third-base-right-contract/476698 This is just more of the same. When he was insisting that he could play SS, it was likely intended to increase his value. Now, that interested teams are expressing the desire to have him play 3RD, he's suggesting that he would be willing to do that, for a few million dollars more. Geez, this stuff gets old. I wonder if using such a negotiating tactic is really wise. One might think that he would build more political capital and generate more interest if he simply said; "I'm confident that I can contribute anywhere my new team needs me," or: "I can play 3RD, SS or 2ND, whatever would help my new team, the most". A team, in need of a third baseman, might react to that posture, more favorably. He is clearly a better defensive third baseman, than he is a SS. So, what is he saying? Is his stance that he will only provide the most potential value to his new team, if they pay him extra? What's next, "Hey, and I might even consider hustling more, if you pay me extra". How about; "Hey punk, here's $350 million, now shut up and focus on trying to justify it". Does anyone else find any of this just a little "off putting"? I would guess that more than a few former players, from previous eras, especially pre the free agent era, are shaking their heads, in disbelief and disgust.

Of course, all of that was inferred. My point was that, providing Machado signs and plays third, the entire lineup looks fine, even with Alonso in it, about which many here seem to be very unhappy.

Providing this ploy works, Machado signs and agrees to play third, I assume this would be the lineup versus RHP: 2B Moncada 3B Machado DH Abreu 1B Alonso LF Eloy RF Palka C Castillo SS Anderson CF Engel It's not bad. It improves the defense at first, adds a left handed bat (He's pretty decent vs RHP) and would comprise a reasonably productive offense, while we wait for Robert to take over Engel's place in CF.

Or, unless the Sox sign Machado.

If that was the case, why wouldn't the Blue Jays have simply told him that he can't play SS, and let him retire? Wouldn't that have saved them the $38 Million?