Lillian

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.

I don't know "Chicago White Sox". That is why I asked.

As I stated; "If a player's character is not important to you, I respect that." My question regards what defense one might offer, for his behavior. There are issues here, which go beyond his being a "dirty player". There is the lack of hustle, and whatever one might call things such as standing at home plate, celebrating a home run, which turns out to bounce off the wall. Please explain to me why these antics do not reflect poor character. This kind of behavior sets a very bad example for teammates, especially younger players. Do we really want Machado to be a role model for guys like Moncada and Jimenez? I can only imagine what negative effect becoming an extraordinarily wealthy man might have on such a person. If we think he's a jerk now, wait til he becomes the highest paid player, in the history of sports. This seems to me, like an equation for disaster.

After Machado's latest antics, it might be appropriate to continue this discussion. Not running out the long fly ball, which ended up bouncing off the wall, for a single and then stepping on Pearce's heel, at first base, have only reinforced this young man's public profile. Does anyone want to defend his actions? My mind is open, but I have to confess that I still don't want this player to be the face of the franchise. If a player's character is not important to you, I respect that. I'm more interested in hearing arguments which might explain Machado's behavior in a way that excuses it. If his antics do not indeed demonstrate some significant character flaws, I'd be interested to hear the rationale.

I'm sorry, but I don't put A. J. in the same category as Machado, character wise. I think that they are completely different kinds of people. As fans, we all have our own preferences. Of course, Yolmer is not in the same class, talent wise, as Machado, so I too would rather have the Star player. However, the choice does not have to be either Yolmer or Machado. I'd just prefer the face of the franchise being someone, whom I wouldn't really dislike, as a person. If one doesn't care, that's fine. It's a matter of personal preference. Perhaps I've rooted for this team, too many years, in which they weren't champions, or even played in the Post Season. After all, I go back to the middle 50's. The thought of disliking the players, in all but a hand full of post season appearances, is not very appealing.

The Manny Machado saga continues and I like this jerk less, every day. I will be disappointed if the Sox even offer him the kind of contract, which has been speculated. This guy seems to have a questionable character: Putting aside the controversial hard slides, in an effort to break up double plays, which after all, used to always be part of baseball, there are plenty of instances where this creep is revealing his character. First, he says he's not the kind of guy who runs hard on ground outs, insisting that he's not the "Johnny Hustle" type, as though to disparage guys who do hustle. He might have done himself a favor by admitting that it's one of his faults and that he hopes to improve that part of his game, in the future. It's as though he is saying; "Hey, I'm great and that's who I am, so take it, or leave it, I'm not going to change". I still have trouble seeing how Renteria would reconcile the team spending a fortune, to bring in a guy who shamelessly proclaims that he does not intend to ever be a guy who runs hard on ground outs, with the team's philosophy of demanding that everyone do precisely that. Then, he kicks Aguilar and doesn't seems to be sorry. He certainly didn't' demonstrate any contrition. He could have simply said; "It was an accident, and I'm just glad that no one was hurt". Instead, he says; "call it what you want". What the Hell is that supposed to mean? Ok, the League called it and slapped him with a fine. And most recently, when the Milwaukee fans booed him, he turns to them and grabs his genitals. Real classy. This guy is a real heel, in the tradition of Pro Wrestling. No thanks, I don't want to have to root for a player like that. I hope the front office will use the franchise's vast financial resources to acquire a little more likable person. You know, it's already inherently difficult to relate to players who make the kind of money they do, playing a game, that most guys would play for nothing, if they just had the chance. Trying to relate to a player, with Machado's attitude, just makes it all that much more difficult. I understand that for some, the only thing that matters is winning. "Who cares what kind of people the players are, as long as they are the champions"? The problem with that approach is that fans have to live with many seasons, in which their favorite team is not the World Champion. How do we deal with those seasons, if the players are not likable people?

That is precisely why I said; "over the next two years". If we are not on the verge of contention, within that time frame, this rebuild will have failed. My point is that I would rather use the financial resources to acquire, or retain, 2 or 3 players, for a shorter period of time, rather than one player, on a 10 year commitment.

Although I prefer Harper to Machado, I continue to lean toward neither. Why not spend the same money for 2 or 3 key players, on shorter deals? A left handed bat, a starting pitcher and an elite closer, all on 3 to 5 year deals, should be obtainable, for the same financial investment, with less risk. Now, who could qualify as candidates, over the next 2 years? I don't know. Please, someone tell me.

I agree, "Turnin' two". A left handed bat is a more important hole to fill, on the Sox core roster, going forward. I'm not worried about 3RD. I still think that Moncada ends up there, and Madrigal takes over at second, which is his best position, when this team is ready to compete. Harper is a much higher on base percentage hitter, as well. Moreover, I've never heard anything negative about Bryce's character.

A. J. played very smart and with tremendous intensity. However, I never thought that he was a dirty player, and I loved him. My perception is that they are no at all the same kind of players, nor do they have the same character, as human beings.