Dick Allen

Then keep your pursuit low profile like it has always been. Now they want everyone talking about and thinking about these guys being White Sox, when reality would make anyone realize it was very unlikely. They set up their entire dwindling fan base for disappointment. Even someone like me who originally laughed at the thought there was the slightest chance either would be signed. But hey, they did pick up Yonder Alonso.

EE is a 35 year old 1.0 fWAR player last year making $20 million, and the Sox are in the middle of a rebuild with 2 vet 1B/DH who are cheaper, and at this point, maybe better, but at the very least not significantly worse. So why not get him? Nothing could make less sense.

If he has agreed to sign with the Yankees, it would stop the negotiations.his agent is one of the top guys. If he agreed to a contract but was still negotiating with other teams and it came out, he would be looking for a new line of work. That is not how it’s done. If Dan Clark is correct, the White Sox know this and are moving on. But there still is a chance he is full of it. As far as his rep, if Bruce Levine reported last night the White Sox had signed him and he was the only one, there would be a party on this board. Yet, one could make one of the longest threads in this sites history just stringing together all the Bruce Levine is full of shit posts. I hope it isn’t true, but it seems to be gaining legs from all ends.

Think about it, if the White Sox wouldn’t have half assed an all in, and refused to count on Mat Latos in the rotation, instead signing or trading for someone a bit more reliable and more worthy of all in status, they would probably have never even bid on Machado because they never would have made the Shields trade.

The White Sox had to know with their performance and irrelevance, they were behind the eight ball bidding for these guys. But The thought there is nothing they can do is incorrect. They can offer enough money to make just about anyone a White Sox. If it took another $25 million why would JR care. Chances are he won’t be signing the checks 10 years from now. If they weren’t prepared to blow away the competition with a contract, they were fooling themselves thinking this could get done.

Either way it sucks. If they didn’t make the high bid, that is so White Sox. If they offered $50 million more and he turned that down, that has to start the alarms as well.

I would think he probably would be in an Encarnacion trade, although I really don’t think there is much to this rumor.

When the Bulls lost a coin flip and wound up with David Greenwood instead of Magic, that stung. But had they won that flip, they never would have been bad enough to draft Jordan So maybe we will someday look back and think missing out on Manny opened a door to something better. But right now it feels like White Sox business as usual.

I don't know. 3 months can ruin a season. If no injury, they may spend their cash elsewhere.

If DiDi doesn't get hurt, do the Yankees even pursue Machado?

Not necessarily. You are always going to need help from the outside if you really want to win and not just be a good team. But, I do think there is reason to be leery of White Sox prospects. Until a couple actually play like advertised, it's hard to buy in.

No. My logic is if he had a deal in place with anyone, it would have leaked by now.

2 weeks ago was the middle of the Winter Meetings, so just about anything we have heard could have lined up. But I agree, I do think if it's legit it's Ottavino.

That's why I don't think he is the rumored done deal.

I would think if it were the Japanese pitcher, it would have leaked by now. I'll go with the reliever.

They might leave insignificant money on the table, but there is no way Boras is going to let Harper sign for something that is not a record if a record is available. This is his shot. And Adam Jones said Machado will go wherever he makes the most money.

i don't know. Fit...he wants to play SS, I am sure the White Sox want him to play 3B. And culture? The team topped out at 78 wins the last 6 seasons. That's a losing culture. The park is usually a mausoleum. They are constantly ignored not only nationally, but locally as well. I hope they sign him, but if they do, it's going to be about cash.

We will see. These guys have family commitments around the holidays as well. It's a case by case basis. So even if something is agreed to, it might take a week or so to get everything lined up.

Many years ago, I had a source. A guy I worked with was/is friends and did some business with one of JR's sons. He once gave me some info, and I was mocked. It turns out about a half hour after I posted who the Sox made their main target, he was traded to Atlanta. So I was a liar, etc. Later it did come out that the Sox did indeed make a serious effort at the player. So people do get random inside info. This particular poster doesn't appear to be hunting for recognition and doesn't appear to have a need to have everyone think he's an insider. We have had a couple of those. Someone who was right once, either on a guess or random info. Then decided to take their new "insider" status and run with it. Eventually, it's easy to spot. Mocking isn't going to encourage anyone who does have info to post it. I know I never would anymore. If I had anything juicy there are a few posters I would send a private message. But I don't work with that guy anymore, so that probably wouldn't happen anyway.

Yes, the poster who came up with this has a ton of posts. I would imagine if it’s a free agent, they need to come in and take a physical, especially if it’s a pitcher, so with holiday plans that could easily be delayed a few days. If it’s the end of next week and nothing has come out, I will think he was just given bad info. I think I have had somedisagreements with this poster, but I don’t think he would just make this up.

Maybe. But there are no Bryce Harpers out there and maybe their new cable partner is willing to throw even more money at them if they get Harper and basically try to force cable and satellite systems to add them to their line ups.

The Cubs print money and they are going to start printing more. Not only the new TV deal, they have bought up a good portion of their neighborhood. People are going to be paying them all day. The question is how much luxury tax are they willing to pay. To add Harper to their team, it might be more than anyone believes.

The White Sox can wait as long as it takes. They aren't trying to fill holes to win in 2019.

Didn't say he was. That's why I said this is worse.

Alonso does. Probably Castillo does, but at least Castillo is a halfway decent catcher. I already said if he signs Machado, Alonso was a great trade, if he doesn't, it's laughable. But you can't continue to fill roster spots with his friends. He can make some new ones. The object if he signs will be to win, not what he will be doing after the game. One of the major guys quoted an exec wondering what happens if the Sox play starts going south after they signed Machado. He thought it could get ugly. But if friends are required, what if they suck? Are the White Sox stuck with them? What if it upsets Manny? The pitch should be to field the best team possible, not we'll just load it up with your friends. If Castillo and Alonso can't make him comfortable enough, it just shows how low the White Sox organization is regarded.