SCCWS

Corbin is also 29 so maybe he went in feeling this could be his last shot at big money so the 6 years as well as the $40 sold him. We will soon find out what will sway the big 2. My concern is a star hitter may want protection in the lineup so he has a better chance of producing. Will getting the biggest contract be a deciding factor for Machado or Harper since some superstars have such a big ego? If money is the deciding factor, what cities/teams offer the best endorsement deals? Does either prefer playing for a winner versus going to a rebuild? I would think the agent wants every buck they can get for their pockets so they may try and sell the contract over the location. I think way back, Machado said he preferred East Coast. Was that true? Does the ballpark .roster, coaching staff etc. have any affect. Do their wives care and if so do the players care what their wives think? Has JR asked Michael Jordan to speak to both to show that a superstar can thrive in Chicago? Have either talked to Chris Sale about uniforms?

FWIW---Longtime beat writer Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe is usually a pretty good source on baseball. He does not list the White Sox as finalists for either Machado or Harper. Otherwise he has a lot of baseball stuff in today's Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2018/12/29/baseball-top-free-agents-this-year-and-beyond/a538V444ifBDiTkVE3BNjI/story.html

I don't see them leaving Chicago. Maybe moving in the fences w a short right field porch for Harper and a short left field wall for Machado.

HUH????

As opposed to partially signing with us?

Just don't use the current 10 year cycle. Over the last 10 years, the White Sox have not made the playoffs. Phillies have 3 times w one WS and Yankees 7 times and 1 World Series. Now maybe you tell Manny that is because we didn't draft him.

Unless they have pictures................

There we go. KW never gives up on a player he wants.

Agree, unless he is doing it for show. We should know the answer by end of January.

Not sure where you live, but I live in Red Sox territory and I think most fans think Kelly is just another bullpen arm. Kelly's fan popularity comes from rm his history of protecting his teammates by retaliating when Red Sox battews have been hit. But pitching wise , he is a typical up and down reliever. Not many complaints on sports radio today about his departure. I would have like the White Sox to sign him since he would add some character to their vanilla look these days.

They won't want Yolmer since they already have Holt. I know he has health issues but I still like Jones. I would guess we would have to give up prospects which might be counter-productive. Red Sox look pretty set except for bullpen and maybe a young SP. JBJ is probably a Theo pick so Cubs may have interest.

No, I am sure they will want a return. But remember they are juggling 4 outfielders in 3 positions w Martinez bouncing between OF/DH. Betts is also an above average defender who could move to CF but not a Bradley. I can see them moving Bradley especially if they have another outfield prospect on the horizon.

I don't agree. If he played SS this year and liked it he will make the decision before he signs. If he has changed and will play either, then the team can decide. I don't think any team is going to blow him away w money vs the competition so he will probably choose a team based on his desire. There is no way any team will pay that money only to find out he becomes a disruption.

Agree but he is penciled in as a Number 4 starter. Unfortunately the rich get richer. I would assume they take out a LLoyd's policy to protect their investment.

Will Machado or Harper look at suitors and see who will bat around them for some protection? Obviously if they go to an established contender, that would not be an issue. But if the White Sox are meeting with them, in the middle of a rebuild, would they be concerned that teams could pitch around them if the rest of the lineup is weak. Abreu behind them might help as opposed to Palka who they probably never heard of . But then again, maybe these guys could care less about the lineup. Just a thought.

He had an outstanding September but a mediocre August. If Boston is not all in after him in the coming weeks, I would back away as well.

Since 2019 is a rebuilding year, you could put him in the rotation and let him have a year of limited pitch counts to build his stamina some more and then turn him loose in 2020. But the Yankees( and even the Red Sox) may be a contender for him.

You could be right but usually on a team for every guy who has a career year, someone else has a dwon year or goes out for a big chunk of time w an injury. Hopefully for the Sox, the young players( Moncada, Anderson, Rodon, Giolito and Lopez all improve 1-2 WAR

Really good work. creative roster. My only complaint is that I would say you have put some WAR values very high on a few players. If you put their average WAR numbers for their careers, it might be more realistic. For example, I can see Anderson a 3 but you have Moncada going from a 2 to a 4. Machado and Corbin at 6 would be high based on their performance last year. Rodon would be also having a decent bump up. I love Jimenez but 3.5 is a very good 1st year. I would probably shave off 6-7 WAR overall. But who knows how this will play out.

Think rose-tinted glasses. Now, moving on to closer, Kimbrel wants a 6 year deal ...................................

I agree with him being a perfect utility guy. But if he can't really stay healthy, he is not a perfect utility player.

With sagging attendance, baseball should not be expanding. But money makes decisions. Two new expansion teams will help them water down the product even more. Tampa Bay was a poor expansion choice and a new stadium will not solve their attendance woes.

Not sure what your definition of generational talent is. Machado so far is a .282 lifetime batter after 7 seasons. He is an excellent defensive player. Has never won an MVP. Machado usually is a Top 10 in AL voting before this season. I would say Mike Trout is the AL generational player right now and guys like Machado, Judge, Betts will be chasing him. I am not sure on Harper. His 2015 was a monster but his .249 average last year is a little concerning. If the Sox had 2 or 3 solid positional pieces in place already, I think it would be a better shot going for one of them. So one question, if the budget is $400 Mil, would you rather spend $400 mil on Machado or Harper or spread the risk and fill 3 or 4 spots with the $400. on the next tier down.

They are pretty rare. There are elite closers but long term may be tough. Diaz had a hell of a year but I would think he is a gamble being long term. Kimbrel may be the closest to elite long term but even he was a little shaky down the stretch.