ChiSox59

Something needs to happen today...was looking forward to a week full of action leaguewide. Total snoozefest so far.

To be clear, I am not really advocating for not signing Harper. Just saying I'd prefer a front loaded deal with an opt out as opposed to a straight 10 year $400M deal. Signing any elite FA is a risk, and its a risk that Sox need to take if they're serious about being good.

$35-40M is going to be crippling even if the Sox payroll is $200M - IF whomever is making those $35-40M dollars is no longer an impact player. That is all I am saying. I don't think there is going to be enough inflation in 5 years time that would make the backend of a monster 10/$400M+ contract no big deal if the player is not producing.

MM isn't taking any sweetheart deals. I can pretty much guarantee you that Machado will sign with whomever gives him the most take home dollars. I think its that simple with him. That very well may be the Yankees at the end of the day.

I'll believe that when I see it.

I'd personally much prefer an effective 5 year $230-240M deal than 10/$400. The Sox can afford the ~$45M for 5 years, its the backend of the contract that would be crippling if he doesn't maintain superstar status, and is a DH. I also think there is something to be said about an opt out being a positive for the team as well. It gives the player some incentive to remain at the top of their game. They have another chance at a monster contract at age 31. If you just lock them up for 10 years, its more more conceivable that they get comfortable, get out of shape, care less about their game, and ultimately become an average player. Having that ability to cash in again before age 36-38 is definitely worth something.

Depending on the contact, I personally won't be that mad if the Harper/Machado sign elsewhere if the money is crazy. $400M and up, and I don't feel all that bad about it. I'd just like to see the Sox structure a deal that is super front loaded...heck pay these guys $45-$50M per year for the first 5 years, then give an opt out. with the AAVs dropping to $30-35M thereafter, so that if they don't opt out, its not quite as crushing to the franchise on the backend. Gives the player a nice front loaded deal with an opt out so they can hit free agency again. It should keep the player motivated to work hard as they can still cash in again in free agency. Gives the team some flexibility in that they likely aren't agreeing to a 10-12 year deal. But if someone get stupid and offers like 10/$400 all evenly spread across the 10 years, that is going to be a bad deal, and I wouldn't be devastated if the Sox decided to not beat that offer.

It appears so.

It is very not "insider-ish", so he probably feels OK sharing a DM from some rando.

Dude, you've got to stop.

Head over to the Cubs message board and find out.

Anyone think we see any league wide action tonight? Only 6pm in Vegas...quiet day with Billy Hamilton signing as the most notable news.

I’ve made it clear in this thread that I don’t think he is worthless. He’s paid appropriately. He has minimal trade value. We aren’t getting anything exciting for Jose Abreu.

And Goldie is a significantly more valuable player than Abreu. Your expectations are insane.

This one stings for me. Would have been a great fit for the back of our rotation. For $5.75M...I mean c'mon...

I think the Sox could support a payroll quite a bit higher than that and still profit, even without considering the additional revenues associated with signing the guys necessary to add $75-100M to the ledger.

Kolek would be kind of fun to see.

Yah, if you sign Harper and MM, you damn well better be prepared to be near the luxury cap in 2023-2025. But its never going to happen.

Pretty boring start to the day...

If the Sox don't approach and then exceed a $150M payroll figure in the coming seasons (yes, I know the luxury tax is around $200M), they're never going to be consistent contenders.

Maximize the cap? The Sox could sign both to effective 5 years $250M deals (assuming they take opt out after 5), and still be well below the luxury tax for at least a few seasons.

Its pie in the sky for sure, but the Sox have enough payroll flexibility to sign them both.

Mentioned it before, but this is the one reason I am skeptical the sox are going to have a big offseason. We've been told, and I believe it, that the Sox are interested in long term fits and not short term bandaids. I believe that if the Sox get Harper or Machado, they'd deifnitely add other pieces to try and put together a team that has a *chance* at being in contention in 2019. But if Harper and MM don't sign for weeks, its going to be more difficult to do that. Basically, if the Sox wait around until February on Harper / MM, the market will have shrivvled up. That being said, sometimes some of the best deals can be found late in the offseason, so perhaps guys like Nelson Cruz and Mike Moustakas are still out there looking for homes when the Sox ink Harper in February, and they can be had on short team friendly deals.

Meh. I think these guys would be happy to team if if they're both making > $40M per season.

Hamilton off the board for just $5M to the Royals. Definitely a signing I would have supported at that dollar amount.