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Damn diminished-skills clause

Guys I really feel like it's gonna happen today

A couple random thoughts/observations: If the Sox have been targeting this free agent class for 2+ years, there is no way they could have known back then that none of the big teams -- Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, Giants, etc. -- were going to be seriously involved in this bidding. They had to have assumed that the winning bid was going to be 9-10 years and $300+ million dollars, and thus seemingly have been prepared to pay that. They wouldn't open with a bid like that, however, but rather something like the reported 7 year deal, and work up from there. The Sox are as surprised as everyone else that no other team has pushed them to go higher. They are ready and willing to go higher, but they are not going to bid against themselves. My guess is Lozano knows that the Sox are prepared to go much higher, and it's driving him absolutely crazy that he can't get more involvement from other teams to push the Sox up. What we saw yesterday was Lozano's frustration finally boiling over. I don't think this stalemate has anything to do with Lozano/Manny not wanting to play for the Sox, but in Lozano knowing he could get more money from the Sox if some other team would just get involved.

Confirmed that it's a Sox hat.

It took awhile to find the hat Manny is wearing, but here it is.

Definitely not this hat

Who is that and why should anyone care what he thinks of the White Sox?

Why do I think of this when I hear or see a tweet from Bruce Levine.....

For every "hattalk.com" post from White Sox fans, $1 will be donated in loving memory of Ursula Snelius.

I've got a good feeling about this source, you guys.

I asked my wife if she wanted a swellopt last night and she opted out.

Shouldn't you be waiting in line for the convention to start tomorrow so you can personally welcome Daniel Descalso to Chicago?

What does this prove? He's not even wearing a hat in this picture.

Winner

Do not harass players' families, especially when they are free agents.

Polo Ralph Lauren. Obviously

Bad news, I sent this to a forensic scientist that believes it says "FU Hahn"

I have absolutely no idea what the hat is. Glad I could help.

It's definitely a hat

Hello everyone. Loooong time lurker. I figure, why not make this my first post? #hatgate

The present value of a dollar is greater than the future value of a dollar

Exactly what someone who doesnt have a great relationship would say!

I will never understand this, one family is already enough work. ?

Is it me or are these so called professional reporters sounding like spoiled children. First Bruce throwing his toys out the pram at Heyman and now Rogers with this. They should just accept they were caught spreading fake news and move on.

Keep the discussion on hats, friend.

Looks like a cap from where I'm sitting.

Well it’s a spring training hat

Yeah, one time I got Paul Konerko's autograph.

I thought he was signing with the Yankees, or at least that is what your last post said.

swellopt

If it's true that Lozano and Reinsdorf have "developed a great relationship", that is HUGE for us.

Second movie role for you after Bellas super fan in Pitch Perfect 3

Notable quote:

We all know Manny wants to go to the Yankees. The only reason he is entertaining other offers is money. So if he still goes to the Yankees, it was because the other teams, including the White Sox, failed to offer him enough money. It's pretty simple. It's not calling them cheap, it's saying they didn't offer enough.

Any ideas as to how reporters in New York are the ones finding out about our opt-out discussions with Machado?

I don't think it makes a difference. They were out before and they're out now

Doesn't matter, we'll still hear them mentioned 1000 times before this bad boy is over.

2018 was definitely challenging, but one thing it did was illustrate the need for some star-power from outside the organization. Thus, why Manny makes sooooo much sense.

Danny Parkins and Jeff Passan are buddies. Passan used to go on Parkins' show weekly in KC and here. You could tell that Parkins got agitated when Bruce went after him.

Easiest way to avoid Addison Russell questions.

This is my daily "I woke up for work and was excited to see what I missed last night, only to see absolutely NOTHING juicy was mentioned at all and was a total letdown waste of time and it saddens me greatly." post.

Hahn has the rare ability to make you feel good about asking your question and the answer sounds eloquent and satisfying. It isn’t until about a week later that you realize you were duped by well-crafted platitudes.

Buehrle.

If I had to guess, there are several sets of leaks here and each with a different origin. The rumored offer of 7/$210M (or whatever it was) seems like it probably was our first, formal offer. That’s actually a somewhat realistic opening offer if Machado’s original ask was in the $350M to $400M range. And it wasn’t until Passan/Gomez said the Sox had offered 8/$250M that is was ever really disputed. My guess is the Sox let that one out of the bag once they were prepared to make their next offer (one Passan/Gomez alluded to) to create some misdirection for the Phillies. Regarding the 8/$250M offer, I truly believe this is legit but was not made in writing and is therefore not a former offer. My guess is Lozano leaked this to put some heat on the Phillies. It should be clear as day that the leaks that came out shortly thereafter from Bob, Bruce, etc. debunking the rumor came out of the White Sox camp. Merkin being part of the posse is proof of that. All that being said, I think these 7/$175M rumors are new beast. The Sox had already put it out there that a 7/$210M offer had been made. There was value in having Philadelphia believe that’s where they were currently sitting. Moving the the number down to $175M (and a $25M AAV) doesn’t really benefit us at that point and quite frankly makes it easy to question its validity since it’s so ridiculous. Therefore, I can only think of two parties who could be responsible for these leaks. IMO, it either has to be the Phillies (in an attempt to convince Harper’s camp that Machado is a much more affordable option) or Boras (in an attempt to embarrass Lozano). I just don’t see anything else that adds up.

Pudge Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Piazza immediately come to mind...

Used to play sax in the E street band. His nephew does now.

Has anyone said the obligatory "I feel like this is going to end tomorrow" yet tonight? Because if not, I'll say it. I feel like this is going to end tomorrow.