SoxBlanco

Could WSD, raBBit, Chili’s source, etc. have been “used” by the Sox to drum up more interest in SoxFest? Or do we think there was actually something brewing that just fell apart or hasn’t fully materialized yet?

Without having to go into any detail or reasoning to support your stance, what percent chance do you think the Sox have of signing Manny at this point in time? I said 80% earlier in this thread.

He didn’t realize the posts from early in this thread are over a month old.

I still don’t think the Padres have joined in now.

Let me get this straight... So people are worried because it sounds like Hahn is doing damage control? Weren’t people just saying he was sounding overly optimistic this weekend? I highly doubt something happened last night to make him all of a sudden feel like they weren’t getting Manny. The much more rational and logical explanation is that people are overreacting and reading too much into what Hahn is saying. The Padres are not going to swoop in with an offer of $300 million after not being a part of this at the beginning. Two of Manny’s closest friends are here and there’s a damn good chance Manny wants to be here, too. Lozano is simply doing his job because the Sox are being smart by waiting it out and not bidding against themselves. What else did you expect from Lozano? Of course it seems like other teams are entering the mix now. In my mind, we have an 80% chance of landing Manny. Calm down.

Assuming this is fake like most believe, I think the most likely culprit is somebody from this message board.

If the Joc trade gets announced in the next couple days and Laz Rivera is one of the guys we trade, then this guy will start to have some credibility. He’s the only one that has mentioned Laz, right?

The rumor was that we give up Bummer, Fulmer, and lower level guy (maybe Laz Rivera).

Does this mean they will both start the year at AAA?

Yep. And right after that, a story leaks about how the Padres are offering a deal with an opt out after three years.

And the opt outs have to be right. I’m guessing Manny’s side is asking for an opt out after 3 years, and we aren’t giving him that. That’s where the creative clauses come into play.

So San Diego wants a face-to-face meeting before raising their interest level, but now they have made a tempting offer? Good effort, Lozano. Too bad nobody buys it.

And raBBit? Seems pretty clear that something was in the works. It either fell through, or it will get announced in the next couple of days. My guess is that the Joc trade is announced by the end of the day on Wednesday.

Who do you think Machado will sign with?

Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start

I have never once thought we should just move on.

Yep. And that’s why this has been described as very frustrating for Hahn. An that’s also why we shouldn’t just offer more to get this done, like some are suggesting.

So if Manny is asking for 8 years and $450 million, you’re giving it to him? If your answer is no, then there must be a cap to what you are willing to give right now. And then you’d be in a negotiation and you wouldn’t want to offer that cap right now. And that’s exactly where Hahn is at.

Isn’t that how every negotiation ever goes?

To the people saying we shouldn’t screw around and let other teams enter the race, what exactly do you want the Sox to do? Let’s say our offer is 8 for $250 right now. If we said, “Alright, let’s make it 8 for $275,” do you think he would all of a sudden sign? No way. They would just say that’s not enough and we’d be in the same spot now, except with a higher offer, which is exactly what Lozano wants. You have to ask their side what it would take to sign. I’m sure that number is astronomically high, but then you negotiate, which is I’m sure what has been happening. I also think the opt outs are causing a problem right now. I’m guessing Lozano wants one after 3 years and we are refusing to give that.

The point of my post was not to compare Quintana and Shields, because there’s no argument there. My point was that it’s ridiculous to claim one front office is clearly better than another because of one trade.

And the Cubs got absolutely boned in the Quintana deal. Does that mean Hahn is obviously better than Theo?

I’ve been waiting for a leak like this with opt out specifics. After what Hahn said today, I think the hold up might be as much to do with opt outs as it has to do with the dollar amounts.

Not if Lozano is refusing to accept anything that isn’t close to what he wants. No reason to offer $300 when no other teams are even at $250 right now.

This is exactly how I feel.