almagest

It's not being cheap, it's not paying any higher than market value, and market value is set by the highest offer. It's the responsible way to act. As much as we'd like to throw 300+ million at both players to sign them right now it doesn't matter if they sign now or right before spring training or even before the first game. This is franchise-altering money and it makes sense that teams are taking their time. That said if we don't sign Machado or Harper it's going to be a bloodbath and I will have no sympathy for the White Sox.

If the Sox can get Machado for 25-30/yr then Harper is not entirely unrealistic. I wouldn't be surprised if they were going for both as some posters have speculated. That would take some crazy negotiation savvy but given Reinsdorf's reputation that might be possible.

I've been dreaming of if Harper could replicate his 10 WAR season and Trout just puts up 8 and 9 WAR seasons like it's nothing. Of course that means he's worth $72-$81 mil/yr...

We're probably a long shot on this one but if we don't sign Harper...

That would be "stupid money" for sure.

"Stupid money" meaning "one big headliner and a bunch of solid depth" is pretty smart.

That's a good offseason.

It's been said multiple times that the Sox are silent when something is closer to happening. Could be a good sign?

Even reading this is already making me mad.

He's covering his ass because he's not sure. "Rival MLB executive" info sounds good though.

"Deal could be announced this week or could still fall through." - bleh

Yeah this is a battle of the White Sox vs. Manny's agent right now. He's trying to shop the updated offer around and we're not letting him. Unfortunately it's probably too late and the Phillies or whoever already assume there's an updated offer so they're deciding if they're going to update theirs. I worry both that someone is going to come along and sweep him up while we dick around with a competitive but not amazing offer, and that the Sox are going to get pissed about the leaks and either decide to pull the offer (unlikely I hope) or that they won't budge off 8/$250 or whatever the current offer is (more likely I'd think; hopefully still not likely).

The Sox gave up 6 runs in each game they lost that series. Would've been nice to have Quentin in the lineup but it was the pitching that series.

If we do sign Machado for much less than expected I wonder if they still push for Harper?

Can we keep the music talk out of this thread please? Maybe take it to PMs?

If it's something like 7 years/$240 mil that would be ~$34 mil/year.

Doesn't make sense to sign Tulo unless they plan to deal Andujar and play Machado at third. Then it could work, assuming Tulo goes to the bench when Didi is back.

For sure. I don't know what is going on with his shoulder and that should scare anyone away.

This will never ever happen but boy oh boy would I love it for so many reasons.

I've been saying this for a while. It doesn't make sense to trade talent from the MLB roster or finish gutting their already weak MiLB system just to sign Harper who may not match the level of production they'd be trading away and will probably leave when Bryant leaves anyway because I don't see how they can afford both of them while still remaining competitive (ie paying Rizzo, Baez, Q, Hendricks, etc.) That's not to say the Cubs aren't trying to do this, but I can't imagine they're going to be successful. And if somehow they manage to swing this I don't see that team being any better than they are right now.

Trading Happ/Schwarber and Contreras to add Harper seems like a net loss for the Cubs unless Harper puts up 5+ WAR per season and doesn't opt out. I also don't know how they sign both Bryant and Harper which means Harper is probably opting out after Bryant leaves.

I DMed the Philly Inquirer to see if he's legit. I doubt it but let's see.

With the chatter changing to "White Sox on outside looking in" and some reports coming out now about Harper preferring other destinations and/or other teams being in the bidding/being favorites my assumption is Harper is looking to get the final best offers from LAD/Cubs/Phillies to see if they can field a competitive offer (compared to the Sox). If so he'll probably sign with one of them.

Avi's DRC+ last year was 118. For fun I mapped that directly to a 118 wRC+, and last year the only player with that score was Shin-Soo Choo with a line of .264 .377 .434

What happened?