Chicago White Sox

I don’t disagree with what you’re saying, but am confused how my post is saying anything differently. Apologize if my wording suggests otherwise.

100% agree. One is a blogger from Australia with questionable player relationships, while the other is a legit beat reporter with proven access to players, coaches, & front office types. One is definitely not like the other.

If this is someone ripping people who questioned Dan Clark, this guy did not say it was 100% happening, that press conferences were being planned, etc. He simply said he talked to a player who thinks Manny is choosing is the Sox.

Yup, there is clearly no agenda here, it really comes down to whether or not the player he talked to would be privy to Machado’s current thinking. Obviously there is no way of knowing that, but it’s better than said player saying he’s going to the Yankees or Phillies.

This is true, but I don’t think he knows that and he does so in a naturally condescending manner.

Look, we really can’t go wrong either player given where the organization stands today. IMO, Machado is the safer player because he’s an all-around talent who provides consistent 6 win production and fills a much bigger organizational hole. That being said, Harper probaly has the higher ceiling if 100% healthy & locked-in with the bat. Unfortunately he’s incredibly inconsistent, struggles to stay healthy, & his defense (while better than he showed last year) is at a very minimum not good. Production wise Machado is far more likely to live up to his contract. There is no denying the intangibles Bryce brings to the table and for a team like us I think his marketability could be worth half his contract. And that’s a big reason why even though I’m not expecting both guys, I think it’s most definitely a possibility and something the front office will pursue if the the dollar are right.

My honest opinion is Machado at the very least knows what he’d be willing to accept from each team and we’re down to the last minute poker. That Levine leak is a tell-tale sign that the Sox don’t want the Phillies to think they’ve gone 10 years and revise their bid. I really think you’re right that this thing wraps fairly soon and possibly even this week. Once the poker starts, things typically move pretty fast as an agent can only say “if you go to x dollars we have a deal” once.

Exactly, that’s why I’d be more willing to give it a bit more credibility than when one of the random New York “insiders” or even Bruce Levine reports something.

And that all makes sense. At this point, I’m thinking Machado ends up around 10/$326 and Harper at 10/$350M.

I’ll be honest, I’m very skeptical of rumors like this, but at least this guy came out and basically said “I just happened to hear this” and wasn’t an arrogant douche acting like it was 100% fact. You can tell this guy is a much more legitimate and likely to have personal relationships with actual players than someone like Dan Clark. This

And that was his point. If they trade for Realmuto & sign Pollock they can add two really good right-handed bats to their lineup. I still don’t see the Dodgers & Harper being a good match.

He said he talked to a player today and that player believes Machado is going to sign with the White Sox. He also said that the player knows Machado better than anyone he’s talked to. The insider believes he’ll sign in the next week or two.

One thing that Dodgers insider fathom referenced is L.A. is interested in Pollack. That could also improve our chances of landing Harper.

Yeah, I love both the gray’s & blacks, not into the pinstripes.

Lol...just get an alternative home Harper and a road Machado!

Are you the wetbutt?

What horrible contracts did they move other than Matt Kemp? And for that, they had to take an even worse contract.

I’ll take a positive nugget however I can get one, but unless that guy is Yonder it’s hard to trust second hand sources. Dan Clark is the perfect example of that.

Why would Philly plant something like this? Harper has full known knowledge of his offers. This is either a White Sox leak intended to make other teams think our offer is low or a Boras leak trying to stir up some more interested parties. I would heavily lean towards the former based on everything we know and the fact the Sox are still in the mix for both players.

Or he’s waiting on them to free up enough money to make a compelling offer. He may very well take a discount to play for them over say the Sox, but there’s nothing to suggest it would be anything of significance. Him & Boras both want a record breaking contract.

There is nothing to suggest that Harper would take a nice discount to play for the Cubs, that’s just Sox fans letting their nightmares get the best of them.

I agree with everything you say here and a promising future could be important if the money is similar with a team like the Phillies. But at the end of the day, 9 times out of 10 these things come down to the money and if we aren’t prepared to spend then the soft stuff doesn’t really matter. Our non financial value prop will outdue the Yankee’s. If Hahn & KW don’t understand, then the franchise is in really big trouble.

Bruce is a complete joke of a journalist because it’s so evident that Cubbie blue bleeds through through his little heart. Just like with Kapman, he’s completely unable to be objective when discussing either team. What the Sox have to offer at the major league level is irrelevant if they offer a fuckton of money. That’s free agent 101 & Bruce needs to study up.

They better land one of them then!

I’d argue there’s been very few reasons to be pessimistic. We know the Sox are involved with both guys and the markets are somewhat limited with none of the traditional big spenders looking to do something crazy. We have a new TV deal in place that will certainly pay us more and provide a larger equity stake for our most important owner. With the Bulls & Hawks in ugly positions as well, there is a financial incentive to actually bring in star or two to drive up ratings for the network. Also, most of the leaks so far IMO have reeked of being obvious agent plants. I never bought into the smoke as some other did. As long as the money is there, and that takes the biggest leap of faith, I like our chances to land one of these guys. By the way, I did say Moncada following the YES Netork was a bit worrisome, so I’ve shown some cracks ?