The Sir

Ok, ok, I get it. Sharing Deadspin was the worst thing I've done since I pushed a kid into a used urinal on a field trip to the Field Museum in the third grade. Yeesh!

Sorry man, that doesn't make sense. The Sox aren't going to base their actions on tweets. If the Phillies beat us with an offer, Lozano is going to point that out to the Sox to elicit a bigger offer. This will go back and forth until one side quits.

I'm not panicking about this, and I think we sign him eventually, but at this point, I no longer put any stock in it happening any time soon.

I really don't understand how this dogshit publication survived the financial obliteration of its parent company. It makes me sad, though.

Eh. It’s dumb...in hindsight. Was it dumb in 2004? At least in terms of ERA, it was understandable, although a little bit panicky, to think MB was dropping off and not a long term anchor at the top of the rotation. He made a decent argument (in that it was based on hard stats) and others made decent arguments against him. No one could have known the next decade would obliterate his entire point.

This could be the best prediction yet. Kenny always gets his man!

I agree with that. Won't bust completely, but he won't be the superstars that the two guys surrounding him on the MLB prospect list (Vlad and Eloy) will become.

You always purchase vehicles at full MSRP, don't you?

Ha, yep. The parking lot in my dream was really more like a junkyard (I think it was supposed to be Philly- I’ve never liked that city and I think my subconscious agrees). There was a sorta reality TV presenter who explained that I was Manny’s new team, and my friend was Bryce’s. Then I tried to hug Manny (which is weird because, outside of my wife and kids, I’d really prefer that no one touch me, ever). FWIW, he looked at me like I had a dick growing out of my forehead. Maybe that’s a sign. Everybody panic!!!! But yeah, dreams are super fucking weird.

Thank you! 28% K-rate at AA in 386 PAs. Plenty of time for improvement, but I’m just not seeing it. I’m not nearly as worried about this as everyone else is.

I had the signing dream yesterday morning. No numbers, but a good friend of mine is a big Phillies fan- we met Manny and Bryce in a parking lot, and Manny walked off with me, Bryce with my friend. I woke up, immediately checked my phone, and was deflated to see that it didn’t happen.

Don't worry, that cycle will occur multiple times. In fact, it happened on each side of your post. KnightsOnMintSt is asking about the chances of us offering a straight $210 million, and SS2K5 is saying, probably in sarcasm, 100%. Where did that come from? Who knows. It didn't come from a renowned source. All the sources have done is say 7 years rather than 8. Yet multiple posters are picking up on it, and many more probably will. So everyone will stumble into some sort of depression. Then some random blue-check will come along, say something slightly positive, and everyone will perk up again. Round and round we go, when we stop, no one can know! Psychologists interested in groupthink and the thought processes of cattle herds should study these threads. It'd be a fucking goldmine.

Those damn glasses, man. They gotta go.

Don't think you have to worry about that. Lindor bottomed out at a .794 OPS when he was 22. Yolmer didn't put up a .700 OPS season until he was 25, and it looks so far like a fluke. He's useful, he seems like a good clubhouse guy, and I hope we keep him around, but let's not get carried away. Maybe you think I'm harping on this, but it's interesting that so many have the pitchforks out for Hahn and company, but still have an attachment to players that just aren't very good. Let's keep perspective.

He could do a heck of a lot more for the team by playing a lot less. Let him be a pinch runner and occasional rest-giver for Tim, Manny, and Yoan. Contending teams don't need a .678 OPS over 662 PAs.

He should be thrilled. He's looking at becoming a full time bench player. His career will continue, he will have to work less, and he'll be better at it. Dude's not a starter.

It's neurotic, man. Look at my posts in this thread: basically, chill out, don't worry, silence is fine, don't bid against ourselves, be calm. A couple people know my old screen names and overall history, and I know myself- even as adult, I'm not the calm one. Shit's in a bad way if I am. And yet, one rumor from one random doofus hits this thread and people run to the ledge. Then an equivalent doofus comes along with slightly better things, and people are planning how the lineup looks when we make our six final signings after Machado. Even the people I look at (whether I say it aloud or not) as being the best and most reasonable posters are acting like freaking windsocks stuck in a hurricane. Calm down, everybody!

I predict that a "Manny signing elsewhere" thread will be the genesis for multiple prison sentences.

You really are an old man. ?

I really loathe this "public negotiations are insulting to faaaans" train of thought. I wish we could elevate our discourse back to the days of wondering which potential city has a better atmosphere for marital infidelity and getting away with murder.

I thought this was sarcasm, at first. Yet I sense you feel this should be an actual consideration of the front office.

So the Sox pawns in the media are pushing back against national reports of a high offer so that we drive opposing offers up from the lower starting point instead of a higher one, which is beneficial for us, and that's bad because it's insulting to fans? GMAB.

Where does 7/200 come from? I don't think that's what we have on the table at all. The Yanks are not going to steal him away with 5/150. Keep the confidence- I feel like every time the wait goes on, everyone loses their minds and starts to panic. Don't worry.

That's fair. The house analogy isn't perfect. I disagree, however, that MLB teams would be so impulsive about their off-season plans. If they're not trying for Machado yet, they're not going to rethink and try for him now. IMO.

I'm sorry man, but that doesn't make sense. He's not accepting 8/250 from us because he wants 300, but he'll be stolen away by less years and less AAV? No, I don't think that plays for Manny, and I don't think anyone other than Philly is going to join this market. Unless Philly beats 8/250, he'll accept from us sooner or later. Waiting sucks, but it's the right move tactically here.