Dick Allen

The Phillies owner winds up keeping his promise and spends stupid money this offseason. The Sox couldn't get Harper or Machado, but did get friends and family.

Nightengale had this almost 4 months ago. But he sucks. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2018/11/07/bryce-harper-phillies-free-agent-contract/1924622002/

Looks like the Boras played the Phillies too. So I wonder where the bidding was before he had Heyman mention the Dodgers and Giants. This was their chance to bid with the big boys on the sideline. Maybe the only reason the were able to sign Abreu was because the circumstances were similar, and JR did bust his budget for the $68 million. Business as usual.

I don't know if that is the case anymore. How did they do in 2012? It was worse than 2011, which was worse than 2010, which was worse than 2009, which was worse than 2008, which was worse than 2007. A definite pattern has developed. This team is irrelevant, and don't seem to want to make any bold financial moves to change.

2 years of planning down the drain.

How has the White Sox current approach worked for them?

It would take me forever to find it, but 3 or 4 months ago I predicted what Hahn would say when they ultimately lost out on Manny. I did mention comfort. I was the first to mention comfort. I am now an insider.

I still think if last call is March or it was in November, at least a couple of the teams would still have been involved.

I just think that is too much respect to give a team that has never shown they would actually do what it takes to sign a player like this, and it's not like Boras and JR are best buds.

This is a pretty good article about the Phillies. The White Sox are in the same boat. How many of these guys in the future are going to be available? https://theathletic.com/840072/2019/02/26/arenados-260-million-extension-and-the-prevailing-thought-that-this-must-be-the-phillies-bryce-harper-moment/

He is sent an email from Scott Boras every morning with his talking points. Sometimes there are very few, so he has to rehash them.

KW will be wearing shades to hide the look of shock.

C'mon man.

You would probably have a pretty good idea if he was going to opt out or not a year in advance. Ideally, a 3 year opt out isn't great, but if it's the difference between deal and no deal, make the deal. I think if you offered enough money, a 4 or 5 year opt out could be negotiated.

If they had signed Machado, and if Madrigal worked out, Moncada would have had to move to 1B or the OF. That's where Harper is, so it's basically the same except a bit worse defensively.

If you are freaking out about risk over years 1,2 or 3, you don't want to sign him for 10 anyways. This, even if he left after 3 years, gives the team instant credibility. Moves up the timeline, takes pressure off your prospects, and sells tickets. To worry that 3 years from now he may say good bye is like a College Basketball Coach not signing a great prospect because he might not be around for 4 years. And if he leaves in 3 years, you're in the same boat as if you didn't sign him anyway. Hahn said he would spend the money. With the Phillies, I could see the problem. It probably takes them out of any Trout discussion. The Sox have zero shot at Trout.

Why? If you sign him long term, the money is tied up. If he opts out after 3, you have money to go get someone else if he leaves. What's the downsidel other than showing your fan base and other teams you mean business? Not signing him means you have to get someone else anyways. There are going to be a lot of players you think are going to be White Sox for a decade, that 3 years from now will be long gone.

I would think the White Sox would include opt outs, but even the one with Belle wasn't a straight opt out. He had to remain in the top 3 highest paid. If the Sox refused he had the opportunity to opt out. Why would the Sox be worried he doesn't like it here when the narrative was get Machado here, he will love it so much, he will take less last year? 3 years with the White Sox, why would Harper ever want to leave? I still think 3 years of Bryce Harper is a lot better than zero.

Supposedly he is also interested in an extension, and seems to be willing to give the Nats some sort of discount.

A premium free agent off the market. Maybe the White Sox will realize they need to pay Harper now. Personally, at this point, this may be the best thing that could happen. If the Sox were to put their eggs in the Arenado basket, that would mean Moncada was a bust at 3B, and would be moving to yet another position. And it's one less option for the team moving forward. Maybe Uncle Jerry will open the purse strings a little bit more.

I believe it was Roger Daltrey who said we won't get fooled again.

Heyman got his overnight email from Boras. His tweets confirm it. Everyone is in. Everyone is bidding huge.

Exactly. And as far as position, hey, if Madrigal is anything like they hope, Moncada was going to wind up at 1B or the OF eventually if they signed Manny. Let Harper have that roll. This is such a no brainer once in a decade, if not more rare, opportunity. Letting it pass and selling what they are trying to sell, is going to be a very difficult sell.

I voted for roll with what you have, unless the price for joc is as low as some speculated earlier. I just don't see it. The guy makes $5 million and put up a 2.7 fWAR and is projected around the same. I think the package the Sox were rumored to send back was more than a little light. It wouldn't be worth giving up something more valuable for him for at least one, if not two non contending years.

It's either he wants no part of the White Sox, or the White Sox were in fantasy land when they determined how much it would take to sign with a 62 win team that hasn't been to the playoffs in 10 seasons, who hasn't had a winning season in 6, who would be counting on him to be their version of Michael Jordan. Put fannies in the seats while not paying him full value.