Dick Allen

Agreed . Only $50 million short for Manny. What more could a fan base demand?

Maybe the Sox can re enter the bidding so they can finish a comfortable 2nd place again.

History tells us to stay tuned. Something great is about to happen. When the Sox were rebuffed by ARod, they didn't let that stop them. They went out and got Royce Clayron. Something similar may happen here. Don't destroy those season tickets yet.

He is a Boras spokesman. What he wrote is definitely a hint they are out, and maybe not a White Sox decision

And Heyman hinted the same.

And during the locker room celebration of the ALC title in 2000, instead of just enjoying the moment he let everyone know they were wrong about the white flag trade. Just like he called Harry and Jimmy scum during the 1983 celebration.

Here's some perspective. Nick Carfado dropped dead at Red Sox camp today. He was 62. RIP.

I would think the reason they aren't in on Harper would either be the price tag, or Harper said thanks but no thanks. Bowden did say that not contending in 2019 was a deal breaker.

I don't know if there will be a 25 or 26 year old star hitting free agency any time soon unless they change the system. But this was the time to strke.

The one thing, other than the actual signing that really bothered me was both RH and KW trying to spin an offer $50 million less in guaranteed money was a superior offer. Yes, I may stillroot for the White Sox, despite all of your mistakes. But don't assume I am that dumb

I think the White Sox should make it an organizational priority to start using the opener. It makes way too much sense. You are going to use relievers anyways, why not put them in a posiion to face players who hit on the correct side of the plate for them for an inning or two. Or, if the other team sets it up against them, bring in the starter who throws from the other side, and he will have favorable match ups. And if the opposing manager substitutes, you are taking all of his late game maneuvering away. Get the starters used to coming in in the second or third inning. Using a basketball term, the opener is free cheese.

He will always have his talking points and he is very good at getting you to believe he told you a lot, when you eventually realize he told you nothing.

The other thing to consider about the White Sox Abreu contract, he opted into arbitration.

RH is still using the "no one thought we would make a trade with the Cubs." as a feather in the "new" White Sox cap. He also does the Luis Robert thing a lot too. Premium free agent signing, actually developing a Luis Robert type, and winning consistently are things still to be addressed.

It's one thing to say you have sources that claim the Sox are in hot and heavy with Machado, it's entirely another thing to take the leap and basically say it's pretty much a lock. Then you are just wrong. If that is what your sources told you, they obviously weren't good sources.

It's like they are the people that dip their toes in the water but never go in, the teams that are successful are the ones that sprint into an ocean or lake or cannonball into a pool.

The comp they are using for Tatis Jr. now is pretty funny. Manny Machado.

It's the pompousness of it. Like they are on some higher ground or something because they think they know something, that ultimately doesn't happen. Great, the Sox thought they were going to get Machado. It didn't take an insider to guess that. They didn't get him. There were more people on here who knew the whole story, and not one of them seemingly considered Machado would go elsewhere. i didn't see one insider even mention SD at a viable competitor. The Sox had to know they were at least a possibility. And why didn't anyone know $300 million was a dealbreaker?

Considering what was expected for Machado (exactly what he signed for) no swellopts...if that was beyond their means, which KW certainly indicated, the confidence expressed, even to the point of admonishing other posters who were pessimistic, was ill advised.

$300 million was the magical number. Taxes wouldn't have played a roll. They would have taken less total payout to say $300 million rather than $290 million or $299 million. KW said they weren't going to go there, so he took an offer the Sox wouldn't have matched had they known it would have brought him to Chicago.

Yes, but KW did say $300 million guaranteed was out of the question. So either way, it didn't matter.

Hahn did mention the offer Monday night was their final offer. I don't know if he meant final as there was no way they were going any higher and final bids were asked, or final as Lozano didn't ask them if they could better it after getting SD's.

I'm sure they have some formula for that. Maybe whatever the top 3 would be that year, that would be their hit luxury tax wise, but its not like its going to ever be a huge number. Trout, Betts, might out do it. But who else?

I would offer him the same type of contract Machado got except more money. Straight forward 10 years, $330 million, 5 year opt out. He wins the contract title, and his brand has to be worth at least $3 million more a year to the White Sox. 5 years from now, if he opts out, he opts out. The White Sox were pioneers of the opt out, but it wasn't a straight one. Belle had to remain one of the 3 top paid players in the game, if he wasn't and the Sox not willing to increase his money so that he was, he had the option to opt out, which he chose. Maybe they could do something like that here.

Holmes interview with Hahn yesterday wasn't exactly hard hitting, but the one thing he did ask him was if they thought they would have to pay a We Suck tax. The answer was no, they really think they are a place players want to play. Forget winning, forget fans in the stands, forget maximizing dollars. It would be nice if they ever realized signing premium free agents requires you to pay more than the other teams.