Sockin

If the Cubs are truly involved and put up a competitive offer I see him going there. Only way he comes here is if our offer is far and away the best IMO.

I have a ton of anxiety that they actually get why they want. Hahn sounds very confident in things but I just have a hard time believing everything they think they’ll get done will end up that way. It’s probably the most likely scenario that they don’t get Harper or Machado and end up making rash FA signings or trades. That’s what I’m scared of.

Just out of curiosity, what stats are you looking at? Curious because I work in the tourism industry and Chicago is a top 3 or 4 market.

FWIW a friend told MLB Network said the meeting with Harper and the Sox is happening today.

I knew the Cubs have no $$$ thing was bs. I bet he ends up with them.

THAT'S BRYCE HARPER IN JERRY'S BOX! BRYCE HARPER IS IN JERRY'S BOX!

The tweet in question. I find it hard to believe this is legit and they're making a pitch today. Isn't Hahn at the GM meetings?

Personally, just from a marketing standpoint, Harper is much more marketable than Machado. Machado is the better player IMO though.

For some reason I really feel like some of the media is upset at the idea that either of these guys could go to the Sox.

If they signed Bryce I'm sure Kopech would have no problem giving up the number.

If they have a Harper jersey on the Jordan statue, are they seriously going to compare him to Jordan?!

Um this is apparently at the United Center? Are the Sox meeting with Harper today?! https://twitter.com/TJDoyle25/status/1060560355338919936

Ok they’re going for it. I don’t think they’re going to be looking at guys to flip anymore.

This is the problem I have. What other 26 year old superstars are going to be available in a year or two? The Rockies are already trying to lock up Arenado so thats not a given.

They’re going to spend 80m this offseason aren’t they.

Yep this 100%. They want guys but only on their terms. They refuse to go above what they feel is enough. I hope they prove that wrong this offseason if they truly want one of these guys.

I wish I could read it like that. Only reason I don't is because of the whole Cespedes debacle a few years ago. Nightengale kept beating the "Sox won't go over 3 years" drum. I've had a complex ever since ha.

Nightengale is Kenny's national media mouthpiece. If they seriously think they can get one of Machado or Harper for less than 300 mil they are delusional. If they want to be taken seriously they have to play the market, not undercut it.

Was fully expecting Merkin to shoot this down so this is encouraging.

I'm waiting for Merkin to shoot it down. Also looking forward to the Nightengale "The White Sox like Harper and Machado but won't overextend themselves." tweet.

FWIW Morosi was just on MLB Network and said he fully expects the Sox to wind up with one of them. If he is that confident in his source then Jerry must be ready to dish it out.

Oh no, I can't take this.

I can understand being both the optimistic and pessimistic sides here. Their payroll is going to be so absurdly low that they can offer the most money without going near the luxury tax. I could see someone like Machado just going with whoever will give him the most money regardless of contention, Harper not so much. But they've never been able to land the big fish outside of Albert Belle and seem to have trouble getting players to want to play here. I don't expect them to land either of them but if they do I also won't be surprised.

Yes but I agree with fathom. I think it's bs. I remember when the Tigers said they had no money and then went out and signed Fielder. Granted its a different time with the luxury tax but I still don't buy it.