steveno89

Tons of smoke today from various sources. Not sure what it means, but the pot seems to be stirring. Trying to remain calm as this crap could drag out for weeks or even months without resolution.

Harper has been the plan and focus all season long for the front office. Machado is plan B, but I feel like all along the primary offseason goal has been to bring Harper aboard. The rebuild needs a face, and he very well could be it.

This is not worth getting worked up over. I'm sure they scoured and carefully considered if they would be interested in any potential players. They did not see anyone that was worth keeping on the roster all season, and I don't blame them. Might as well get cash for a pick you are not going to use.

I think there will be enough smoke that when Harper/Machado get to the finish line one of the Nationals reporters will be the one to break the story

Joel Sherman has broke some big news before as well

Agreed. I'll buy into smoke when the National reporters jump on it.

That would be a nightmare scenario. I honestly don't even want to think about that.

Harper/Machado could easily drag out until after January 1st They will try to squeeze as much money as possible out of teams

Drew Jackson in the Dodgers system could be an interesting player. Quality speed, can likely handle 2B/SS/3B defensively, has some pop.

Keuchel could be good on a 4 year deal, I don't think I would want to go beyond that though. 4/80 probably does not win the bid for him

10/450 is insane no matter how you slice it. Harper is a great talent, but he is not Trout. Teams are likely willing to go in the 320-350 range, but I would struggle to see the bidding go beyond that on a 10 year deal. 10/340 would be my guess, with an opt out after 4 seasons at Harper's age 30

All indications are that he prefers to sign with a team on the West Coast. I do not think the White Sox are really a fit for him.

2/30 isn't a bad deal for him or for the Rays

Hugely depends on how the next 4 season go though. Injuries can happen, poor performance/regression, etc. No way you can bank on a contact 4 years down the line, take the money when you can get it.

Dodgers surely remain a considerable threat to sign Harper, as do the Phillies, and Nationals. Harper would have to take an immense and foolish discount if he wanted to sign with the Cubs on a 4 year deal. No way you can turn down the mega $$$$ generational wealth that your family is being offered. I just do not see that happening, pure speculation.

Grandal could make a ton of sense and solidify the catcher position for the Sox for the next 3-4 seasons. At the end of the day, Harper/Machado just might elect to sign elsewhere, but ownership and the front office will have a difficult time explaining why we couldn't pony up enough to win the bid? For the rebuild to work we will need to add premium pitching and position players along the way, as no chance we get it done solely from our own farm.

Exactly. The plan cannot just be to continue losing and tanking in years 3, 4, 5, etc. Eventually we need to start adding quality players via free agency and trade to help build a contender. Ownership and the front office know that the time is now for big move(s)

Our pitching staff is still too much of a question mark for the Sox to compete in 2019 regardless of what postion players we manage to sign this offseason. Rotation help like Cease/Dunning won't be ready until about July/August at the earliest as well.

Good way of looking at things. There is no reason for them to rush the process, but at the end of the day money always talks. Offer a player the most money and 90% chance he's signing with you.

Jones may struggle to land more than a one year deal anywhere due to his regression. He's a liability in center field, and his bat isn't really good enough to be a corner regular. For a one year stopgap? Maybe, but I'd be in no rush to sign him.

The high income tax rate in California surely becomes a consideration on a mega deal like this as well. It's not just $50 million less per se.

I'm shocked at how many here do not seem to be on board with exploring a Grandal signing. He has been one of the best starting catchers in the league and is available for only money (and draft/international pool money). He would be a substantial upgrade for the Sox.

Not a terrible deal. Cutch is still a solid player, just not elite like he used to be. Still likely has a few productive seasons left in the tank.

I don't feel this impacts their pursuit of Harper/Machado/etc

If I am Harper/Machado I would be in zero rush to sign a contract, and even dragging things out into January could to to their advantage as teams get more desperate to make a splash.