Chicago White Sox

God, the community at SoxMachine b****es about everything. Pnoles is already whining about this move as if it somehow prevents them from doing other things. And they still don’t understand that Yonder was acquired to aid in the pursuit of Machado.

You mean Smoltz.

Let me ask you this, but what “can’t miss” prospects have been traded over the last few years? I went back to 2015, and the only prospects who were ever ranked in the top 10 by Baseball America who have been traded are Moncada, Jimenez, Giolito, J.P. Crawford, & Meadows. And only Yoan & Eloy were still top 10 guys when they were traded, the rest had already lost luster and/or were post hype acquisitions. Teams just don’t give up “can’t miss” prospects typically and I’d argue Moncada still warrants that billing even if his contact issues end up limiting his ceiling a bit.

I feel like things tend to go real quiet for us when we’re close on a deal.

Just a little off hopefully means Wednesday.

This post just reeks of hindsight and odd opinions. Moncada was literally a legit 70 FV prospect when we got him. He has Top 5 tools in all of baseball along with a plus batters eye. We chose him over other blue chippers (including Robles per rumors) because of his massive upside. Just because he didn’t explode in his age 23 season doesn’t make him some sort of bust. I don’t know why you think Lopez is a reliever, but you must not have been paying attention to him last year. He was much better down the stretch as he got a better feel for his changeup. Most of the reliever talk with him has been over durability concerns and he made 32 starts last year. Talking about Kopech’s off-field issues is absurd and doesn’t change the fact he’s a top 5 pitching prospect in all of baseball with legit ace upside. Yes, Giolito has been a huge disappointment and I’m not overly optimistic, but we all knew he was a project when we got him. Conveniently you don’t mention Dunning (a universal top 70 prospect) and Basabe (a FG Top 100 guy), who could be both important contributors going forward.

I guess my point is Yolmer is probably 1.5 win player with everyday at-bats, whereas Engel is replacement level. Based on the parts we have today, replacing Engel with Yolmer is an upgrade. I’d be open to a more substantial upgrade, but there is no question Engel is our worst starter and Yolmer our best guy currently off the bench.

I’m talking about if we get Machado. If we miss on him, I agree I’d rather give Rondon the at-bats than Yolmer.

I don’t disagree, but what does that make Engel then?

You’d rather have Engel in CF vs. Yolmer at 2B?

The bullpen guys can be flipped for prospects if need be. Zero issue spending money there. We all know why they added Alonso and no one should care if it helps us end up landing Machado. Nova seems like less of a bargain, but not a terrible overpay based on what the Angels just spent on a pair of mediocre starters. And quite frankly, we needed a vet to eat some innings. I know the $35M seems like a big nut, but there is some logic beyond each of the moves.

Zero reason to add another veteran reliever at this point. We have four guys pretty much set from the right side in Herrera, Colome, Jones, & Hamilton. Plus we have Fry and the winner of the Bummer / Frare battle from the left-side. We can fill in the remaining spot or two with youngsters.

Credit where credit’s due- nice work Joe. Now ask your source for a Machado update!

I think his tools profile much better in CF than at 3B. Plus moving him there opens up 2B for Yolmer (and eventually Madrigal) & removes our weakest link in Engel, allowing us to put our optimal group of position players on the field.

Nothing has suggested the Yankees will come close to offering $275M.

So is Herrera the closer or will they use a committee?

?...interesting.

She can literally spend half the season in New York while Manny is on the road and the other half in Chicago with her brother. Throw enough money at them and I’m sure it won’t be a problem.

We’ve always known Machado would prefer to play for the Yankees regardless of how his wife feels. I’m not sure this tells us anything new, but it does confirm we need to be prepared to outbid the Yankees by quite a bit.

100%. I don’t buy for a second that’s all he’s getting, but if it is, he might as well take 5/$150M from the Yankees.

Nothing of value.

That’s the exact number in my head and I don’t think he accepts anything less. I can’t imagine Philly won’t go that high.

OMG, it was like five games. Why do you keep drawing conclusions from his ridiculously brief stint with the Red Sox?

I’m really hoping this wraps up this week. Clearly things are getting more serious based on all the leaks / rumors that came out last week. At some point someone will blink, make an offer that Machado can’t refuse, and end this once and for all. Hopefully that team is us.

I know some have speculated this could all be BS and that Theo is flying under the radar for Bryce, but the reality is the Cubs are adhering to a strict budget and aren’t going to players for any free agents of significance without moving some big time contracts.