ChiSox59

I think santana May be done. He was topping out in the mid 80s in his rehab last summer. But if he gets a clean bill of health, I’d roll the dice and he should be pretty cheap. My top two choices remaining on FA market are Kikuchi and Pomeranz for the price.

Let him be!

No offense, but I don’t think many are putting any stock in the rumor that he was ready to sign when in a Chicago. Nothing that has happened since indicates that was a factual report. He well may still become a White Sox. But he wasn’t ready to sign early last week.

You’re ChiSoxFanMike?

And the sample size of the onfield play of the top players we've traded for is pretty small. These are young guys playing arguably the hardest professional sport on the planet. Most great MLB players are not great in their first taste. A big step is definitely needed next season as the next wave of guys acquired arrive or get closer to arriving. Adding a legit star to the mix can only help.

Anybody who says that the Sox (or Phillies for that matter) have basically no chance at either free agent are in 1 of 2 groups. 1) They're not paying attention or are generally clueless. Or 2) They're so accustomed to viewing things in a negative light that they are literally unable to see the information in front of them and analyze appropriately. I have no doubt that both MM and Harper have a list of teams in which they're prefer to go to over others, all things being equal. I have a fair amount of confidence that the White Sox are not in either guy's top 3-5 teams. But all things are not equal, and when talking about hundred of millions of dollars, which are likely the most important factor, pretty much everything else can be thrown out. Harper is down to the Sox, Phillies (which has been stated he isn't interested), the Dodgers (who still have massive payroll issues if they plan to stay under the luxury tax) and the Cubs (who must drop a ton of salary to add him). Maybe a team like the Braves jump in if hte price drops enough. But his market is not robust. Machado? Yankees, White Sox, Phillies.......and that is pretty much it. I too think pretty much any team would add him if the price fell far enough, but we all know at a minimum he's getting $38-40M AAV over the next half decade. I think the line would be long if he is willing to sign a 5 year - $200M deal. But I doubt that he is. The Sox are very much still alive. I happen to think Harper is a long shot, but I think the chances at MM are very real. And he is by far my preferred guy of the two.

me thinks $10-$20M is significant even for Machado and Harper.

Well by your logic, it would have then leaked that he is going elsewhere. There doesn't seem to any smoke with him leaguewide. I think it definitely possible its Kikuchi.

Nothing on Kikuchi has leaked though.

So it doesn't work like the old rules where one team wins the bidding, and then the contract is negotiated? He just signs with whomever he wants, and then his current club gets a cut?

.280/.350/.520 is a pretty solid improvement over his 2018 season for a soon to be 39 year old. I think it is much longer likely you see something like .235/.320/.500. He'll probably hit 30-35 homers though.

Does he actually to have a deal agreed to by Jan 2nd, or just a team selected and then the negotiations begin on contract? I apologize, I am not up to speed on the new posting rules.

Add Ottavino, and IMO, our pen becomes fairly deep, with a long roster of guys in AAA as insurance. That alone should be a huge improvement over last season.

What did he say? I went back and couldn't find it. Nevermind: In the original post of the the thread - was looking for Buerhle>Wood post.

A tad more than I thought he'd get. $14.3M is not nothing for a one dimensional player that is quickly approaching 40. But it is hard for a one year deal to go too sour. This also locks Sano into 3B for the Twins, and he is pretty terrible at 3B. The Twins new front office really likes trying to build a squad off stopgap players.

No.

I think Kikuchi would be a nice move depending on the price. IF he really has to sign by Jan 2, things need to move quickly.

I personally care more about winning baseball game than nationwide coverage and publicity. Manny is a better baseball player and a better fit. If you can only have one, MM is the far better option. Of course both would be better.

Giolito is going to get every opportunity this season to work things out. And he should.

I haven’t read this thread, but I just don’t understand this deal from the Reds end. They definitely improve for next season, but they’re still bad. Gave up prospects and added salary. All assets they acquire are expiring. It’s a bad deal that really helps the Dodgers. I feel like Soxtalk would be in meltdown if the Sox did this deal.

I mean...mods really can’t do anything about this? This board is dropping in quality by the hour. It’s just spam at this point. Make it stop.

What a shit storm this place has become.

He makes it very difficult to ignore. And I am well aware he doesn’t have a source.

I am not trying to be a prick man, I really am not. But you've said this at least 100 times the last few days. Everyone who reads this board knows this. You don't need to repeat it every page.

Well seems pretty obvious that Manny is going to go first. I don't see much reason for him to drag this on any further unless there are more teams legitimately in the running than the Sox, Phillies and Yankees. Only way I see this dragging on is if if the best offers are in the $250M-$270M range right now and teams aren't willing to negotiate against themselves quite yet. By all indications, Harper is not an option for the Yankees. Apparently Harper does not want to go to Philly. The Cubs and Dodgers are out unless they move a shit load of money the next few weeks. Who else is there? Obviously the line of suitors would be long if his price dropped significantly, but just assume he's getting something north of $325M over 10 years...who else is there? I think if the Sox get MM secured in the next week, the heat really goes up on the Cubs and Dodgers to try to move money, and if they can't, I think the Sox are in a fantastic position to get both IF JR is really willing to give out $700M to 2 players in one offseason.