Lillian

Then I think we both agree. We would also both be happy if he signs with the Sox. Neither of us cares how much the team has to spend.

If Machado is not willing to play third, that would argue strongly for not signing him. Not only would it negatively impact his WAR, but it would indicate that he is not the team player, that he is purported to be. You play where your team needs you to play, period. This guy has enough issues, regarding his character, without adding "selfish" to his profile. I want to hear him state; "I know that I can contribute to the team, anywhere in the infield, that they put me. I just want to help them win a championship." Of course, it's cliched, but it's the right way to think. The last thing this young team needs is a selfish, "prima donna" to set a bad example and ruin what seems to be a good team chemistry, especially for that kind of money!!

Note that I did not say I would be unhappy. I agree with you and have stated elsewhere, that "it's not my money". I'm merely pointing out that the Sox have a unique need to sign a player with this kind of intangible star power. They do have to acquire such a player, because of their being relegated to a small market team, in a big market city. This is the problem for a team located in one of the worst parts of town, while trying to compete with the Cubs, on the North Side. Regarding the left handed bat; Absolutely love the notion that the Sox would finally have that elusive middle of the order, left handed bat. Insert him right into the #3 spot and problem solved. LOL. Nevertheless, it wouldn't take a $350 Million contract, just to solve that problem. But again, hey it's not my money. I'm just arguing that no other team really needs Bryce Harper badly enough to compete with the kind of offer, which J. R. appears to be prepared to make. In fact, it may be foolish for any other team to do so. It may be a prudent, even wise decision for the Sox, but not for other teams. So, relax. I think that all signs point to him coming to the South Side.

Does anyone suspect that the Sox may be the only team "desperate" enough for the intangible "star power" that Harper brings, to really have a serious interest in him, at the kind of money that is being suggested? I'm beginning to think that teams like the Cubs and Dodgers would view such a deal as pure folly. Those teams could care less about star power. They all know that he is not the best player in baseball and doesn't play a premium position, in fact he doesn't even play his position very well. No other team needs him, as badly as the Sox do. Perhaps he hasn't signed yet, because no other team has surfaced with an offer to match what is being hinted. Perhaps none will. Many of you have stated that his on the field performance does not justify the biggest contract in the history of sports. Given that his intangibles are not worth that much to other teams, the Sox might not really have any competition, if Harper is simply seeking the best offer. It's also likely that the Sox would offer one, or more, competitive opt out clauses. It appears he likes the city of Chicago and although he might prefer to play with is buddy on the North Side, being in the same city would be a reasonable compromise. Finally, it's likely that the wives could be more interested, than are the players, in the two families residing in the same city. They are the ones who are home, while their husbands are at the ball park, most of the day, even when their teams are in town. When they're husbands are on the road, they're really alone. I'm leaning on the probability that no other team is going to match the Sox offer, if they are actually willing to spend $350 Million, for 10 years of Bryce Harper. The other GM's may even privately think that the Sox are foolish to make such an offer.

Yes, you are correct. Sorry. Thanks for catching my mistake.

Agreed, and he can really pitch. I'm all in favor of signing him.

I'll try to translate this one: If, and only if, Harper signs with the Sox, I can't wait for the Cubs game, to shove it in their faces, even more so, when Eloy is playing and Cease is pitching.

Is there someone here, who speaks "peavy44," who can translate that into English? Sincerely, "peavy44," I am truly sorry, but I don't understand that, and I fear that asking you directly, would not help. I understand that English may not be your first language, and as someone who has lived in Costa Rica, for many years and struggled with Spanish, I can relate. Perhaps you could use a word processor to help you with grammar.

The issue of front loading versus back loading is interesting. The player would almost always want the front loaded deal, but the back loaded deal would not always be preferable to ownership. I like the front loaded deal for the team, as well as the player. It provides protection against the potential for significantly reduced production, due to age and, or injury. It makes the contract more movable, if the player does not have a no trade clause. It also still provides enough incentive for him to stay motivated and dedicated. Consider this hypothetical: 10 years: $375 Million. First 5 years at $50 Million per, $250 Million total. Last 5 years at $25 Million per, for $125 Million. He may be thinking that he can opt out, in order to seek a better deal for the last few years of his career, which for the Sox, may not be much of a disadvantage. Few players are really that good, in their late 30's. If he can find another team to offer him more money for years age 32 through 36, more power to him. Such a contractual structure could be especially suitable for the Sox, given the oft mentioned lack of payroll obligations, currently on their books, and the anticipated cost of retaining our young, emerging stars, when they reach arbitration and free agency.

What scares me about that is the possibility that Machado grabs it, and I prefer Harper, especially for that kind of money. Machado, without Harper, becomes the face of the franchise and that would be tough for this fan to swallow. Yuck. Of course, there is always a chance that Eloy, or even Robert or Moncada become the face of the franchise. Robert and Moncada because they are both 5 tool talents and Eloy because he is, well simply "the Bess".

Thinking about it, from the wives' perspective, this could be a big positive factor in Harper's decision to come to the Sox. If the Cubs are not in this, the Sox may be his preferred destination.

The two teams are rarely in town, at the same time. However, their wives might enjoy being in the same town. Anyone know if they are close? I just found this: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/wives-of-kris-bryant-bryce-harper-fanning-the-flames-of-harper-to-cubs-rumors/

What a refreshingly intelligent and well spoken athlete:

To bring this discussion back to the thread topic, don't most pro sports players speak glowingly about Chicago, especially in the summer and Fall? I had the impression that they love that city.

It's all a matter of opinion. I've lived in both places, including almost 30 years in Southern California. It was great, in the early years, but not now. Have you ever lived there? When?

Ditto. You'd have to pay me about as much as this guy is going to get, just to live there. It's a little heart breaking for someone who remembers what a great place Southern California used to be. The fires are just the last piece of the total disaster, that is Southern California.

Ouch! That would really hurt.

Actually, that was one of his more cogent posts. It may not be what he intended, but it was good English. He clearly stated: "WE have outbid the cubs and dodgers by alot"

If Boras wants to get the Sox to bid against themselves, what is the one team that would prompt them to do that? Great negotiating tactic, by the agent. He knows how much it would sting, to have him sign with the crosstown rivals.

Putting aside the issue of whether, or not, it makes good business sense and would be a prudent course of action, I think that the following plan may be what the front office is striving to accomplish: 1) I still think that they are targeting 2020 as the beginning of their window of contention. They are trying to sign Harper and, or Machado, because this is their opportunity to get them. However, they will likely not fill out the roster, in order to compete in 2019. They will need a backup catcher and another reliever, but they are not likely to try to fill all of the holes, but rather wait for Kopech, Cease, Dunning and Robert, in 2020. 2) They won't be able to find out what they have in Lopez and Giolito, unless they let them continue to be part of the rotation. Therefore, it will likely be Rodon, Lopez, Giolito, Nova and perhaps Covey, to start the season, with Cease coming on late. 3) They may be thinking that a big front loaded contract for the "marquee" star players will get it done, while still working for their long term plan. Perhaps something like $45 Million per year, per player, for the first 5 years, with much less in the later half of the contract. That could net them both players. 4) It would enhance their upcoming TV deal, and still not put them in an untenable financial situation. 5) It would satisfy the objective of keeping them both motivated, as they play for their opt out, in 5 years. 6) It would satisfy the fans, as well as garner terrific national exposure. 7) This year's lineup: Moncada, Machado, Harper, Abreu, Eloy, Palka, Anderson, Castillo/?, Engel ? 2020 Lineup: Moncada, Machado, Harper, Eloy, Palka, Robert, Anderson, catcher?, first base/DH?

I'm going to sign off, for the night and conclude by saying; If the Sox sign Harper, or even Harper and Machado, I'll be as excited, as the next Sox fan. Nevertheless, I question whether it's really a good idea. How's that for being conflicted? Sweet dreams fellow Sox fans. Maybe Santa will come early.

This team is going to have a lot of young players, many of whom we have reasonable expectations of becoming stars, in their own right. If in 2020, Moncada, Eloy, Robert, Madrigal, Kopech, Cease and 1, or 2 more guys really blossom, they could just as easily fill a few holes with established veterans, on short term reasonable contracts. I'd be willing to wait, as a fan, but that's just me. I understand that many would prefer to just spend money and chase the "glitter" of a couple of marquee players. To each his own. It is an interesting debate.

Thank you for the clarification on the "Marquee Star Power" value. I'm persuaded that it would be a bad idea to pay too much for such an intangible and fleeting quality. In my mind, he either performs well enough to justify the money, or it's a mistake to award a record breaking contract, for off the field "BS," as one of you put it. By "well enough" I mean the kinds of numbers I stated. He shouldn't merely be the 34TH best player, or even the 15TH best position player, and "earn" the most lucrative contract in the history of the game. If ownership wants to spend the money, that's their business. However, that doesn't make it a wise decision.

I'm afraid that I don't quite understand what his "off the field" appeal is. I haven't watched him play much, but why is he the default "marquee" MLB player? Personally, Trout seems more like that player. Could Harper's status quickly change if he continues to have less than stellar years, while other emerging stars overtake him? Vlad Guerrero Jr. and a few other youngsters, look like they could become the new faces of the game. How ironic would it be if Eloy or Moncada became bigger "stars" than Harper?

Well, my question was whether, or not, you gentlemen think that those numbers are a reasonable expectation.