TheFutureIsNear

This is just getting sadistic at this point. Flat out selfish really...there's no way you're telling me Harper/Machado don't know where they are signing. Probably agents haggling over $5M of a $300+M contract...or what sports drink will be in the vending machines or something stupid.

I don’t think any team was going to sign Tulo to be their primary SS regardless. And Andujuar is a below average 3B defensively. Can’t imagine there wouldn’t be plans to try him at 1B over their middling platoon of Bird/Voit before trading anyone. Basically, I wouldn’t look too much into this Tulo signing at all. He probably has just of good odds to never play for the Yankees as he does playing any kind of significant SS innings.

The minor system does have to produce...as well as finding a value free agent or 2 + turning a couple of those prospects into an established player. Do those things and THEN go after a top free agent as the final piece. Of course if we could get the final piece 1st it wouldn’t be a bad thing...just a lot easier said than done I feel. I mean, I know if I’m Machado I wouldn’t sign with a team that isn’t a playoff team, even after signing me. Whatever extra $ we can offer isn’t going to make a difference in his life over what the Yankees will pay him.

I know it’s not a popular opinion, but I don’t either ever really seriously considered the Sox. Don’t get me wrong, that’s ultimately Hahn/KW’s fault because they built this team into the undesirable destination that it is at the moment. But I don’t think the necessary funds available was ever enough for Harper or Manny. Everyone else is looking at the Alonso deal like it’s some genius move to get Manny. To me it’s a bad front office continuing to be bad thinking they can supplement with mediocre talent like Alonso/Nova/McCann...and I expect another bad move or 2 and the front office trying to sell the roster as a playoff team. We’ll see....

Would have preferred Encarnacion to Alonso, but no changing that now so this makes no sense. If there's a deal in place for Jose in place would be the only scenario, and that seems like it would be a complete 180 from the front office has been saying.

Agree with the names said already and I’ll throw in Ervin Santana on a 1 year deal under $10M. Had the finger issue last year, but threw 180 innings of sub 4 era in our division the previous 2 years. Obviously the medicals would have to check out, but Santana seems like a safe bet veteran to eat innings and possibly be a trade chip mid season

2005 was an anomaly season, if not flat out lucky. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every second of it and not trying to devalue that WS, but that roster has nothing to do with how to build a team that can succeed long term. Not the model for what the present Sox should be doing at all.

Jose Abreu for Ian Desmond, Riley Pint and $14M Jose and Desmond’s $ about equals out in 2019, we get Riley Pint for paying $11M to Desmond in 2020 while the Rockies pay only $4M, and then the Rockies chip in $10M for Desmond’s entire 2021 salary + $2M buyout. Probably doesn’t quite equal out to the formula because clearly OP is way smarter than me lol...I feel like we would probably get another prospect as well as Pint because Desmond for Jose at similar prices isn’t fair on our end. At least a Yonathan Daza or Josh Fuentes type of older prospect we could give some major league AB’s to next year.

Toles...or even Edwin Rios and Matt Beaty are both interesting and ready for a run in the majors if they need to free up a 40 man roster spot

1B- Bellinger 2B- Muncy SS- Seager 3B- Turner LF- Joc CF- Pollock RF- Harper Taylor and Keke as super subs. Don’t know about the financial aspect but they can def fit both guys into their lineup

I’d put it at .001 % chance

True, wasn’t thinking about the possibility of multiple opt out clauses...probably because it seems like a crazy thing to do for the team. But Manny and Boras have all the leverage with multiple teams interested so they will likely get someone to give in to what they want

I wonder if 10 years is even what Boras/Machado wants? I know he/they want opt out clauses, but at age 26 it doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. I’d want more like 6/7 years to hit FA again when contracts will likely be even crazier. I’d offer him something like 6 years $190M with an opt out after 3 to see if it entices him.

White Sox not willing to sign Harper or Manny to a record setting contract....I take it that it means we aren't signing them then http://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/25539918

I know there's been plenty of discussion on him but like 7.5 Harper mega threads and 0 for Manny? Is that an indication that Harper is the clear cut preference of the board? And what's the max years/dollars you would offer him? And 1 more hypothetical question... -If it was the difference in him signing with the Sox or not, would you move TA (CF?) and let Manny play SS?

Crap just realized his option is vesting. Only needs 526 PA’s to guarantee his 2020 $

This is either going to end up a genius trade or terrible...either Machado or the front office is collecting middling talent as a crappy way to “compete”

I don’t put a whole lot of stock into the stats that measure framing...but if true that he’s bad at it it would be a pretty headscratching signing. But also nothing to be upset about because it’s a backup C making relative peanuts

https://www.sny.tv/yankees/news/yankees-gm-brian-cashman-has-spoken-with-free-agent-manny-machados-agent-multiple-times/301667776 Cashman publicly stated he’s spoken to Machado’s agent multiple times. And the Nats publicly made a very large offer to Harper trying to retain his services.

Don’t get me wrong, I think there is at least some effort to land Harper, but It would be a pretty horrific marketing for a team to go “Nope, not interested in the best players.” I wouldn’t take anything any gm says to the media very seriously

I was big on taking a gamble on him until I saw he’s had arm issues already. I assume teams get to do their own medicals before signing? Or would we have to go by medicals we are given?

Don’t waste long term $ trying to piece together a mediocre team...but I would like to see a few players signed on 1 year deals (maybe 2 for the right guy). Bridge the gap and help the young players with vet leadership and get a little protection in the lineup. I don’t expect to compete next year but i think it’s time to take a step a forward from 100 losses and get some confidence in these young kids going into 2020. I don’t think tanking for another high draft pick is going to make a difference at this point. A smart trade or 2 for young position players would also be smart. Never hurts to look at reclinimation projects

I’d rather see Jones playing a corner OF spot on a cheap 1 year deal then see more Delmonico/Luery/Cordell/whatever we currently have on the roster. Jones would probably be good for the young players too. But if we are “going for it”, Jones shouldn’t be signed as a starting OF’er.

I wanted a new front office years ago. It’s not about making excuses for anyone. It’s beeing realistic about the situation. There are other teams vying for their services that are more attractive destinations, it’s an undeniable fact.

My point was more that you're making it seem like signing 1 of these super stars is like picking up something up at the grocery store. It's a 2 way street. If the front office throws a bunch of $ at them and they choose to sign elsewhere what can you do? Excitement for the possibility is 1 thing, but disappointment if the sox don't sign Harper/Machado doesn't make sense to me. Not to mention that a move like Grandal and others 1st makes a ton of sense. Why would Harper come to the Sox with their current roster? Making the team better can only help