Lillian

I think that this board continues to under value Avi. It will be interesting to see what kind of year he has, after his recent knee surgery. Many here are ready to non-tender him. Remember that this is a guy who hit .330 in 2017 and was hitting home runs at a rate, last year, which would have produced 30 round trippers, in an entire season. He did that while hobbled with hamstring and knee problems. It is not unreasonable to think that he might hit around .300 with 25 to 30 homers, if he can stay healthy. That would make him one of the most productive offensive players, on our roster. It certainly does not suggest that he is a candidate to be non-tendered.

That's interesting. So, would it be J. R. negotiating with Harper and Boras?

After reading some of you guys' thoughtful posts, perhaps the best way for Hahn to negotiate would be to ask Mr. Harper what he wants. I don't mean simply the money, but rather what is his objective. He is going to get a lot of money, wherever he signs. Is the city important to him? Is his main goal to win a World Series? Does he want to be the face of a franchise? Does he have aspirations to become a part owner of a MLB franchise? Who knows what is most important to him, beyond the staggering material wealth, he will reap? If Hahn can discern what he's after, that would certainly help him, in his effort to offer something very appealing to Harper.

We simply just seem to disagree. So, what exactly would you propose?

Yes, that is precisely my point. How does my proposal fail to accomplish that objective? Remember that he would have an unconditional opt out, after 5 years, and the conditional opt out, after 3.

Perhaps you didn't completely understand my proposal. While it guarantees Harper $45 million per year, for 5 years, it also provides him an opt out, if the team has not become competitive, in 3 years. Under those circumstances, how does that not satisfy and allay his reservations? Why would he demand an unconditional opt out, after just 3 years, which really wouldn't work for the Sox, because it doesn't afford the team enough time to capitalize on their top prospects? If the Sox cannot structure a Harper deal, which keeps him in Chicago long enough to realize some of the promise of Robert, Kopech, Cease, Madrigal and maybe our 3RD pick in this year's Draft, it doesn't make much sense to me.

Yes, I understand that. However, it makes no sense for the Sox to grant an unconditional opt out, after just 3 years. The question which I'm raising is; how to lock him up for the next 5 seasons, and still afford him an opt out, if he were to find himself stuck, playing for a losing franchise, in his prime

It has been suggested that one of the obstacles which might impede Harper coming to the South Side, is his desire to play for a winning team. How could the Sox structure the contract in a way that would afford him an opportunity to opt out, if they have not become competitive, within some stated number of years? For example, here is a hypothetical contract proposal: The first 5 years at $45 million per year, with some significantly lower annual salary for the duration of the contract, which could be 10 to 12 years, in total. If the team had not produced a winning record, or perhaps even won a stated number of games in his third season, the opt out could be moved up to that year, instead of the 6TH year. Under those circumstances, he could leave. if the team had failed to achieve the objective of becoming competitive. He would still be in his prime and could weigh any and all relevant factors, in his decision to either stay, or move on to "greener pastures". From the Sox' perspective, they might not be terribly upset to lose him, and that huge salary, if their rebuild had gone so badly that their targeted window of competitiveness, with the players, whom they had assembled, did not materialize. After all, by then, most of the best of the prospects should have arrived and be contributing. So, while the Sox would be disappointed in the poor results, losing a $45 million annual commitment to one player, might not be so hard to swallow. Such a contract would also assure Harper that the front office would be committed to acquiring the additional pieces needed to produce a winning team. That would be especially important, if the plan is to acquire him first, before committing to additional free agents.

Very valid argument, "Chicago White Sox". I agree with you. It is also worth remembering that no team roster can guarantee results. It's always a matter of staying healthy and having a little luck.

Perhaps the time is coming when they will implant some sort of bionic part, rather than an actual ligament. Then maybe we'll see guys actually go back to throwing more than 100 pitches, every 5 days. LOL.

Doesn't successful Tommy John surgery reduce the risk of developing further problems, related to throwing sliders?

Your suggestion could be feasible, as long as both Machado and Harper could be convinced to patiently wait a year, or two, to compete. That assertion is based upon the realization that there would likely not be sufficient funds remaining, to address the pitching. A starting rotation of Rodon, Lopez, Giolito, Covey and whomever can be acquired, with the modest amount of remaining money, is not likely to be adequate to compete in 2019. When Kopech and Cease are ready to join the rotation, they might be ok, but probably not this season.

I had previously asked how the money which would likely be required to acquire both Machado and Harper, might be better spent, if allocated over 4, or 5 lesser free agents. Several of you responded and I appreciate the thoughtful suggestions. What about a compromise, consisting of one of Harper, or Machado and 2 or 3 lesser free agents? Next year's roster will almost certainly lack the pitching needed to compete. However, a couple of starters and a closer could significantly improve those prospects. Perhaps a couple of veterans, to fill the #2 and a #4 rotation slots, or a #1 and a #5. Adding Corbin, Kimbrel and someone like Shields, along with Harper, or Machado could give the Sox a shot, in the Central, especially if the Indians trade Kluber. Some of these acquisitions have been suggested here, in various posts, but what do you think of such an overall strategy? A 2019 starting rotation of Rodon, Corbin, Lopez, Giolito and Shields, with Cease in the wings, could be adequate to formidable, depending particularly which version of Lucas we get. The offense could be very potent, if they retained Avi and Abreu, with the new additions of Eloy and one of Harper, or Machado.

Just to remind everyone: We also have the #3 pick, in this June's Draft. Hopefully, that will help fill one more piece of the core, for the upcoming window of contention. I'm sure that the front office will not forget to make that part of their pitch.

The most feasible and effective proposals, which I've seen, suggest front loaded contracts, of somewhere around $200 million, for the first 5 years of each contract, with opt outs and much lower annual amounts, for later years. Assuming that the Sox were serious about trying to sign both Harper and Machado, that would mean $400 million over the next 5 years. How do you think they could better allocate $80 million, per year, over the next 5 years? Such proposals would be very interesting to consider. They could, for example, sign 4 or 5 free agents, at $16 to $20 million, per year, each. Can you find 4 or 5 guys, in those price ranges, who would improve the team's chances for the Post Season, better than signing the two big "fish"?

Your point is well taken. However, doesn't adding one of them and some badly needed pitching, make more sense than trying to add both of them? What is the point of losing a lot of high scoring games?

Can we please stop fantasizing about signing both. The front office would not do such a thing, and it wouldn't be a good, or wise move. Many of us have suggested that they could very well aggressively go after both, with the idea of signing one. That makes sense, but the notion that J. R. would actually OK signing both, is just nuts, even if they both had an interest in coming to the Sox.

Why not structure the contract for Harper, so that he opts out, about the time that they have to pay the big money to Eloy. I'd gladly take 5 or 6 years of Harper, and then be OK with him opting out.

I want Harper, and this is how he fits: 2019 3B Moncada RF Avi 1B Harper DH Abreu LF Eloy C Narvaez/Castillo 2B Sanchez SS Anderson CF Engel Sign another veteran starter and a closer The 2020 team: 3B Moncada 2B Madrigal 1B Harper LF Eloy DH Palka CF Robert (If ready) C Collins or Narvaez/ Castillo/Zavala RF Adofo/Rutherford/Walker/Gonzlez SS Anderson

Harper does, in fact, fit a need. He provides that much needed, middle of the order, left handed bat.

That 11 year proposed contract makes sense to me. It offers the player a chance to make even more than the $330 million, if he is still performing at a high level and salaries have remained where they are now, or have risen. He would have earned $260 million, in those first 7 years, and could opt out, to seek more money, elsewhere. In fact, why not give him an opt out after 5 or 6 years, if the player asked for it?

I actually favor a deal that is front loaded, with an opt out, providing that the opt out is far enough into the deal to provide the prime years of a player. The most significant advantage for the team is that it provides an incentive for the player to continue to strive hard toward excellence. The other advantage is that if things don't work out, the contract becomes easier to move. Giving anyone $350 million, or more, guaranteed is really testing a player's character and dedication to his job. I certainly wouldn't want to trust Machado to meet that challenge.

How is Ian Kinsler a Gold Glove second baseman?

Do you really think that Sale's defiant gesture of cutting up the jerseys is comparable to Machado's behavior? I personally don't.

You guys already know how I feel about him. I was just curious if someone was going to try to defend his behavior. So far, I haven't seen anyone do that. It seems to be a question of whether, or not, you think that it matters that he is a jerk. It is just worth remembering that we have to root for the team, whether they win, or lose. That could be a real challenge, with a guy like him, on the team. Sure, I'd be tempted to overlook his character, in exchange for a World Series trophy. I just wouidn't enjoy having to root for him, in a season that fell short of the Playoffs. Also, keep in mind that while some of us might not care about his character, there is the team to consider. We have a lot of young prospects, and it would be a shame if they ended up emulating his behavior. He is not a good role model. In any case, it seems very unlikely that he signs with the our Sox, even if the front office makes an effort to acquire him.