11 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Keep this garbage Bears effort out of this thread please!

Are you sure about that?

Edited December 21, 2025Dec 21 by caulfield12

3 minutes ago, Timmy U said:

I wonder in what time zone this negotiations are really taking place. They have until 7 am Tuesday in Japan, which is 4pm Monday in Chicago. 1 pm Sunday in Japan right now on Sunday. I imagine they have to be getting close to “put your final offers in now” so Murakami has a chance to weigh them. Or do we think this is all being done by US based agents in a U.S. time zone?

You’ll probably hear about an agreement about a day before (tomorrow) before it’s finalized.

I want this to happen more for @Chicago White Sox than for the Chicago White Sox 

Ashamed of his effort!!

2 minutes ago, fathom said:

Ashamed of his effort!!

Haha wrong thread 

3 minutes ago, fathom said:

Ashamed of his effort!!

Getz?

Brady hyping Caleb?

DJ Moore almost collapsing?

UDFA wr's?

Wow, I just nutted.

21 minutes ago, Timmy U said:

I wonder in what time zone this negotiations are really taking place. They have until 7 am Tuesday in Japan, which is 4pm Monday in Chicago. 1 pm Sunday in Japan right now on Sunday. I imagine they have to be getting close to “put your final offers in now” so Murakami has a chance to weigh them. Or do we think this is all being done by US based agents in a U.S. time zone?

Murakami himself is stateside right now fwiw. In NYC last I saw

Let’s keep the good vibes rolling. Sign Murakami, Getz!

2 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Let’s keep the good vibes rolling. Sign Murakami, Getz!

And f*** it, grab Imai too. 

Murakami saw that Bears game and knows he has to be on the other pope-blessed team

3 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

Murakami himself is stateside right now fwiw. In NYC last I saw

That would be disappointing if it's the Yankees Mets Phillies.

Following Elon Musk private jet tail numbers?

No ghost flight diverted to Toronto?

25 minutes ago, Timmy U said:

I wonder in what time zone this negotiations are really taking place. They have until 7 am Tuesday in Japan, which is 4pm Monday in Chicago. 1 pm Sunday in Japan right now on Sunday. I imagine they have to be getting close to “put your final offers in now” so Murakami has a chance to weigh them. Or do we think this is all being done by US based agents in a U.S. time zone?

I believe he has a US agent and my guess is everything is being done in US time, although when you are at this stage in the process talks can happen at all hours of the day.  That being said, I assume a formal decision will be made by tomorrow, so final offers are likely already in to your point.

4 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

And f*** it, grab Imai too. 

Let’s not get greedy here brother!

5 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

That would be disappointing if it's the Yankees Mets Phillies.

Following Elon Musk private jet tail numbers?

No ghost flight diverted to Toronto?

His agent is located in NYC…let’s not overthink this

It definitely won't be the Braves lol 

See article linked at bottom.

 

Other baseball players who currently are or had been represented by Casey Close include Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Derrek Lee, Ben Sheets, Michael Cuddyer, Josh Hamilton, Eric Milton, Kenny Lofton and Richie Sexson.^[

 

^{Was also involved in the Freddie ill-fated Freeman/Braves negotiations....}

^{https://fansided.com/braves-blame-losing-freddie-freeman-casey-close}

Edited December 21, 2025Dec 21 by caulfield12

The Mets scare me. I know they brought in Polanco, but it feels like they still have a big hole at 1B after Alonso left. Can’t rule out the Angels either. Or possibly the Mariners. Just hoping for the best.

14 minutes ago, almagest said:

Murakami saw that Bears game and knows he has to be on the other pope-blessed team

You joke but I remember hearing Imanaga going to Blackhawks games prior to signing with Cubs

"On December 17, Francys Romero reported that Tatsuya Imai’s free agency has effectively narrowed to two finalists: the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. The Yankees are pushing hard due to injuries across their rotation and their long-standing pursuit of a Japanese star. 

Tatsuya Imai’s preference to join a team without current Japanese players also aligns with New York. The Cubs remain deeply involved, viewing him as a potential top-of-the-rotation anchor and reportedly holding off on other moves while waiting on his decision."

 

Just don't be the Cubs for BOTH Imai and Murakami...

Can't see them bidding over $200 million for a pitcher.

Thought Imai was SFG bound?

 

"The Yankees not having a meeting with Imai is surprising. Especially given the fact that New York had been considered a frontrunner for the right-hander..."

Edited December 21, 2025Dec 21 by caulfield12

Absolutely wild thread to catch up on. Bravo, y'all.

"Kicked the tires" feels lower on the "seat at the table" scale than "engaged in talks" but who knows.

Imai has Boras as his agent, so there's just no way they're a package deal with Murakami...

Cubs also seem to have no interest in getting involved with Boras clients this FA period.

3 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

"Kicked the tires" feels lower on the "seat at the table" scale than "engaged in talks" but who knows.

Waiting for Bregman decision. 

More like exploratory discussions/setting parameters.

See Detroit.

Houston Philly Blue Jays SFG DBacks etc.

Edited December 21, 2025Dec 21 by caulfield12

Looks like he was in NYC

 

5 minutes ago, fathom said:

Looks like he was in NYC

 

Does Chris Getz even have a TikTok account?

Surely Schiffren does.