SCCWS

One thought is the difference in leagues. We often talk about pitchers going between leagues but not so much hitters. Does Manny have an advantage being an AL player versus Harper an NL player.

I can remember as a kid that going to a baseball game once or twice a year was a big deal. But for this generation it has really changed. The game itself is just not as entertaining especially the length. It is an expensive proposition for many families. There are a lot of distractions. Every game is on TV if you want it. Families have a lot of "kids" activities on weekends. Many families are attending their kids baseball, soccer, etc games on weekends. We have been hearing about the soccer emergence in the US. In Europe it is a major attraction. But in the US, it still takes a backseat to the major sports because it lacks "action". Baeeball has the same problem. I laugh when fans say how a new stadium( i.e Tampa) will boost attendance. That tells you all you need to know about attending a game. That is a in a city where an NHL team draws more fans( many wearing shorts) than Boston, NY, Detroit, St Louis etc.

Wednesday, for the older crowd, was always Prince Spaghetti Day in the Northeast. How that relates to Machado and Lozano I don't have a clue.

Hopefully it wasn't Manny in Japan............................

Remember Boras did not announce the JD Martinez signing until 2/19/18.

I think the players in those other trades are pretty easily duplicated. If he can't get Player A from Pitt. he can get a comparable guy from the Mets. But I am assuming we are not talking about Kimbrel or Moustakas but rather a 5th starter or another bullpen arm.

Because you never know if you are the only bidder or if a team jumps in last minute and becomes a bidder.

FWIW--I still think the Yanks out on Manny is speculation. They will enter the season rated behind Boston unless Kimbrel moves on so I think Cashman has another major move to make. NY media still has a lot of rumors but then again they always do.

I like your thinking. But if Lozano is in a tough spot and he know it, it doen't sound like Hahn knows it. He is doing a lot of CYA all of a sudden. If it was a lock, I think it would be no comment. I hope w the Sonny Gray trade the Yankees have not jumped back in.

Not sure that is true. Heyman had originally reported that Manny wanted to play on the East Coast last October. If it comes down to Padres and White Sox then he will not get his wish. The East Coast idea may have been when he wanted the Yankees to make an offer.

I don't think so. They are not east coast which was Manny's original desire. They are also not a contender like us. I would be more worried about NY or Philly which are east coast and contenders more than I would SD. As long as we can match them in money, we should be the better situation.

Also no football headlines on the "off" weekend. I think we all agree that it will be announced this weekend or it will not be announced this weekend.

We don't know if Manny is still insisting he play SS. Maybe he will let the team he signs w decide which is what we all would want. But there could also be Manny saying SS and whoever signs him agrees taking out the competition in ST. We shall see.

I would be shocked also. However, if either one does not like the choice(s) available, then maybe they d take a 1 year. I can see a player gambling on a 1 year if they are completely unhappy with the teams offering them. Agree they may be in the same boat next year, but a player may not want to go to a situation he does not like for 3 or 4 years before he can opt out. Sometimes the player's ego has to be satisfied.

We trade a draft pick to Yankees for the rights to A-Rod.

Both from Miami. https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/manny-machado-alex-rodriguez-have-a-miami-connection-1.4083114 He was my favorite player growing up and I've always looked up to him since I've been playing baseball," Machado said

But there were few rumors at all about it. Boston media pretty much said it would happen and it finally got announced when ST started.

Agree but in hindsight, a player who is raw with some holes probably should have spent more time in AAA

Maybe the Russians

I am sure there are sleazy agents. But remember for an agent this is not a one and done. Teams are not going to get their info from the media. They are going to call the agent directly and get a feel or range where the bidding is. If Manny's agent tells Philly the White Sox offered $250 and they drop out and Manny signs for $175 that agent will have a hard time the next time he has a player up for a new contract. Agents want the most for their clients but I doubt they will lie as to actual offers they have. I am sure some of our posters have been involved in bidding in the workplace. There are ways to work the price up or down while maintaining your reputation.

Also if the Harper Vegas meeting went so well, he also would have signed. ,

I am waiting for the Manny to Japan rumor to start up................

Agree that 99% of the "news" is just opinions.

The way this process is going, some network is going to come in and ,make a reality TV show out of it. It has become a twitter soap opera. Tomorrow we will hear Harper goes back to Nats and Machado goes back to Dodgers. Then Machado and Machado will enter the NFL Draft.

White Sox fans have been on a roller coaster ride for weeks now. But imagine Moncada and Anderson this past week since their future could change drastically depending on what Machado decides.