ChiSox59

I agree Yolmer is decent enough. He's a solid utility guy and a guy that can fill in for a few weeks for a DL stint and you don't feel too bad about plugging him in. But he's no where near as good as Eduardo Escobar, IMO. Escobar has had 4 straight seasons of above average OPS+ seasons, including 118 and 127 his last two seasons. Yolmer will never sniff that. I am not saying lets cut Yolmer or anything, but I don't think you're getting anything for him via trade, and I'd rather roll the dice with Rondon for a season than Yolmer. At least let them share 2B duties. Again, hopefully this isn't an issue once Machado is in the fold.

Exactly. I think moving Moncada to 3B makes a ton of long term sense if the Sox whiff on Machado. Which obviously would suck. I'd probably rather give Rondon everyday at bats at 2B than Yolmer at this point though. We know what Yolmer is....we don't yet know what Rondon can do on an everyday basis, and he is out of options. That being said, I'd much prefer Machado at 3B, keep Yoan at 2B, and worry about where to play Madrigal when it becomes a problem. That would be an excellent problem to have.

Pederson is definitely expendable if they hold onto Verdugo, which at this point it sure seems they are. The Pollock move doesn't make a ton of sense if they were married to Joc. Now...that doesn't mean they'll just give him away for Aaron Bummer. LF: Verdugo CF: Pollock RF: Bellinger 3B: Turner SS: Seager 2B: Taylor 1B: Muncy Supersub: Hernandez

I agree...but they could still sign Keuchel.

I agree. But what is he going to say? A comment like "We would absolutely love to sign both and will do everything in our power to get both on the Southside." doesn't exactly help is negotiating power. I think Harper has always been a pipe dream and I don't think there is much interest on his end, but if the Sox are able to get MM signed for something like 7/$220 or 8/$250M, I do think the Sox will at least continue to monitor the Harper market. If MM ends up costing more like $300M over 8 years, I kind of doubt they even both continuing talks with Bryce.

I doubt Rosario would be interested in a long term deal. He's going to get paid in FA if he keeps pace of a his last couple seasons.

Which means Jay knows. Which means at least a couple other dudes on the team know. Which means their wives know. Which means the wives family knows. I don't buy it. If he had definitely made up his mind, it would be out there. I am sure he is leaning one way or another and Yonder knows, but until he signs...doesn't mean much.

I don't see it happening either, but I could maybe see them trying to get Harper on a frontloaded deal that he is likely to opt out of after 3-4 years. Get Machado on a straight 7/$220M or 8/$250M....then Harper on a 3 or 4 year type deal at $45-50M AAV where it can swell to 8-10 years, but at "team friendly" terms which means Harper will likely opt out again once Trout resets the whale market. Pipe dream...but theoretically possible, and wouldn't totally ruin the team's flexibility moving forward. But don't see Philly allowing us to get both. Really only see it as a possibility if Harper just really doesn't want to play in Philly.

BOOOOO

Which is why I said $150M-$200M over that 5 year span. Sox payroll is about $80M right now. Add Machado and Harper, and its going to be damn close to $150M in 2019 without any other additions (like adding a legitimate 5th starter, or trading for Pederson, etc. - both moves you should probably make if you're adding both MM and Harper).

I mean, I basically said as much. I think people are just spitballing. There has basically been nothing tying the Sox to Harper since the Winter Meetings.

It could definitely be done. Heck, give Harper an opt out after 4 years. The Sox just need to be willing to operate in the $150M-200M range for 2020-2025. But Hahn has already said 2 isn't happening. Maybe if Machado gets 7/$220M or something it opens the door a crack, but I doubt it.

I bet Sox try to rekindle the talks if they do eventually land MM. I'd still really prefer to see someone other than Engel in CF everyday, and I don't think Jay in a legitimate everyday option in CF.

Did Hahn already do his presser today for 1st day of ST?

Looks like he used a block glove with orange lettering for the majority of his time in BAL. Used a tan glove with black trim in LAD and perhaps his final season in BAL as well.

I agree the deal isn't done. There are just a lot of people seemingly speculating that MM and the Sox have agreed to terms and they're waiting for *something to announce. I just don't buy it. The black and silver gloves are very intriguing tho.

I just don't understand what the Sox and Manny would be waiting for to announce if he's actually agreed to anything. There is definitely a ton of smoke , but what is the benefit for anyone of not just getting on with it if there is actually an agreement.

Stroman knows no more than any of us.

I'd rather roll with the guys we have in the pen. Our pen in Charlotte is loaded with major league ready guys. This is the year to give those guys experience. Its already a crowded group. I suppose go to town on minor league deals, though. I would rather see them do that with a few SP.

This. This is really all there is to it. Hahn and Jerry have played this correctly, but man it has been a tough process to follow for the die hards. And if they do ultimately get outbid, they only have themselves to blame.

I definitely would have rolled the dice on Hudson had we not added Colome and Herrera.

Oh I agree. I don't think Narvaez is this great player. Just in hindsight, we could have just signed someone similar to Colome on the FA market, likely for less money, and still have Narvaez (who I'd much rather have than McCann). If Narvaez has another offensive season like last (BIG if), and improves his framing some, he could be a pretty decent trade chip, or a worthwhile platoon catcher. Oh well. Not that big of a deal at the end of the day. Narvaez is more likely to be out of the bigs in 2 seasons that he is a legitimate major league catcher.

I'd prefer Moncada lower in the lineup so he can just focus on hitting and not worry about the other things that come with leading off or batting second, but think he probably will bat 2nd against RHP. He should definitely be lower against LHP. Batting in front of Machado, Abreu and Eloy would theoretically give him better pitches to hit, however.

Really? Why? Don’t like it.

The Marlins are an awfully run baseball organization.