Jose Abreu

Wouldn't we be concerned about Martes' elbow too?

This sort of pokes a hole in the generally accepted idea here that Garcia has no trade value. Which I believed as well.

On August 15th- in the article, Rosenthal states that we were aware of his condition at the time of the discussions. Guess that means we would've done it anyway?

https://theathletic.com/646072/2018/11/10/rosenthal-astros-had-trade-in-place-for-bryce-harper-in-july-but-nats-ownership-said-no/

I get where you're coming from but I wouldn't put Senzel in the same category as those 3. He's pretty close to the Vlad/Eloy tier of prospects. I don't even know if Madrigal/Gonzalez/Rutherford is a fair offer for him. But I understand why you wouldn't want to trade prospects in the first place.

I think that says more about the posters than it does about Hahn...

Sign Harper, then trade Madrigal, Gonzalez, and Rutherford for Senzel. Future outfield would include 3 of Harper/Eloy/Robert/Basabe/Adolfo/Walker with 1 at DH, and we’d have our third basemen of the future. Not sure if the Reds would accept that though.

Sun-Times: White Sox should choose Bryce Harper over Manny Machado for their fantasy team

I don't expect to see him in the majors until 2020 but I think (if healthy) he's already a better option for CF than Engel. Robert is faster (believe it or not), likely has the same or better range, definitely has a better arm, and most likely would be a better hitter already.

Assuming no FAs, and without factoring in our #3 pick: 1. 3B/2B- Moncada 2. C- Collins (I like putting OBP guys 2nd) 3. DH/LF- Jimenez 4. CF- Robert 5. RF/DH- Adolfo 6. 1B- Abreu 7. 2B- Madrigal 8. SS- Anderson 9. LF/RF- Basabe A lot of RH hitters in a row, Abreu probably won't be there, the 3B will probably be someone currently not in the org, but I could see something like this with guys like Gonzalez and Rutherford just missing the cut. And I put Robert 4th because I think he'll be more of a home run hitter than a speed guy

For what it's worth, if we were to add Bryce and nothing else of note, I'd be shocked. Landing one of these two whales would, in my opinion, coincide with a bunch of Cruz, Brantley, Happ type signings for the short-term.

Yes

By far the best edit I've seen yet.

I agree. Say the Sox sign Harper, 10/375. Say that for that entire contract, Harper doesn't opt out and slashes .250/.350/.500. Probably would be underwhelming, but .850 OPS production from a left-handed hitter is still good. Is it $37.5 million AAV good? No, it isn't, and that's why having a marketable player, perhaps the marketable player of baseball, is so important for a team like the White Sox, who play second fiddle to another organization just a few miles north. I don't have enough data at my disposal, nor do I have proper knowledge of each and every factor that Harper would affect, but I would be willing to guess that what we'd "lose" in overpaying for the above production, we would more than gain (from an economic perspective) in increased exposure leading to higher attendance, ratings, jersey sales, and so on. If I were Jerry, I would even consider offering him something crazy like 12/460. The effect such a signing would have on our team would be absolutely crucial from an economic standpoint, and I'm sure the FO realizes this. He doesn't even need to be good. The bright side is that he probably will be great, and better than the slash line outlined above.

If we're using Instagram as clues, Nicky Delmonico just liked a couple comments about recruiting Harper

I'd guess a trade of Bryant would give them a chance to sign Harper, since they obviously wouldn't need to worry about extending Bryant anymore?

Luis Robert is gonna have an Acuna-like rise in the minors. I thought it would happen this year but he couldn't stay on the field. If he stays healthy next year, he'll be knocking on the door of an MLB promotion by August (and will receive the promotion on or around April 15, 2020).

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-hot-stove-what-to-make-of-the-white-soxs-apparent-push-for-bryce-harper-at-the-united-center/

Reports of a Michael Brantley jersey on the Jordan statue.

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1648359

That's why I'm waiting for the Hawks game to actually start getting excited about a meeting. If he's there, surely people will take pictures.

If he really was spotted working out downtown, at the Hawks game tonight, etc. then I'd be willing to bet that he has a meeting with us tomorrow or this weekend.

Yeah I don't think they actually met today but I do think Harper is in Chicago. Maybe they're meeting tomorrow/this weekend.

Harper is reportedly in Chicago and was seen working out at East Bank Club. There are rumors that he's attending tonight's Blackhawks game too. And this is from a United Center employee:

It's because they've had them as guaranteed Yankees/Phillies players for a couple years now. They don't want to be wrong. Nightengale literally reported back in March/April that Manny Machado will sign with the Yankees. He has a lot on the line, I guess