hogan873

With Machado off the board and only a few true suitors for Harper, you'd have to think he signs soon, right? If the front offices of the Phillies and Sox are smart, they are working on deals now, hopefully keeping in mind that guaranteed money speaks loudest.

I don't know. With Machado signing first for a relatively reasonable price, teams may look to get Harper for a little more. I could see him signing for 10/$320 or a little more. Months ago it was widely assumed he'd be getting close to $40M a year on a long term deal. Now, low $30s per year seems likely. Question is, who's going to blink first?

I don't either, but I just can't stop. I might need counseling...or a few beers.

Position-wise, Machado was the better fit for this team. However, I've always thought that Harper was the bigger name, and that signing him would be better for the team. He would be a franchise-changing player that instantly changes the perspective of the Sox. Plus, with his power from the left side, he'd be dropping baseballs in the Goose Island all season.

They had the $50 million. They didn't not guarantee the money because they spent $40 million on scrubs. They didn't guarantee the money because they're cheap, and they got caught with their pants down. They had the money to sign Machado, and they have the money to sign Harper. If they don't learn from this and spend it on Harper, they will never be taken seriously in pursuit of a premium free agent.

We can all hope that the Sox are still in contact with Harper and are continuing to work toward a potential deal. If the Machado debacle taught them anything (which I have my doubts), they need to guarantee money. Lots of it. Harper is going to want more than Machado. I don't see why the Sox wouldn't offer 10/$320 or so with an opt out. Well, I do see why they wouldn't, but they certainly need to step the fuck up. I think long term suitors of Harper are limited to the Sox, Phillies, and Nationals. If it's true that Harper has reservations about playing in Philadelphia, the Sox have a shot...if they choose to take it.

I certainly hope not. It's not their fault. I hope they contribute enough that they can be traded at the deadline. Alonso could bring an okay return if he produces. Jay is most likely sunk money.

I agree that it's a solid offer. It's just frustrating that it came down to $50M guaranteed money. They would have paid less per year. In all honesty, what would we be saying if it had been the Phillies as runners-up with that offer? Would we be as critical of their front office? I'm not being a dick, I'm actually curious.

All we can hope is we end up watching Machado struggle in SD and say that we dodged a bullet. I think he opts out after 5 years and gets more money somewhere else, especially if the Padres don't make the playoffs AND he plays well.

True. I was saying what a team that was serious about going after free agents would do. But yes, it is logical that the Sox won't pay up for Harper based on how they handled the Machado deal.

Logic says that the Sox will push hard for Harper and make an offer that will guarantee more money that Machado got. Logic says that, so I doubt the Sox do so. A 10-year deal for $330M with an opt out after 5 years SHOULD get the job done. Don't bother with deferred money and incentives and whatnot.

Obviously Harper would be the number one priority, but I have serious doubts of that happening. So, if that doesn't happen, I wouldn't mind seeing Keuchel one a 2-year deal and maybe Gonzalez or Harrison. Would Harrison be a better choice at 2nd than Yolmer or Rondon?

Unless Harper signs a deal for fewer than 10 years but more money per year, the Sox will miss out on both big free agents this year. And will never be taken seriously again in their pursuit of free agents.

Yeah, KW needs to stop talking. He's just confirming what we already knew, and he's pissing everyone off even more. Just shut up and start thinking of excuses for missing out on Harper...and every other big FA.

I don't understand KW saying they couldn't go to that $300M level. If any of the reported offers were real, they were near or above the $30M per year average. Why is $300M a number they couldn't go to? Now I believe the 7 years $175M offer was real...and their best offer.

I was optimistic, but I can't say I'm surprised. The deal sounds like something the Sox should have beaten, especially if they were offering 8 years at $250M or so. Leads me to believe that either the Sox never had any intention of going to 10 years or Manny decided he'd prefer to play in San Diego.

Yeah, if Manny signs (and if so it should be soon), Yoan stays at 2nd and Yolmer becomes the backup infielder. If he doesn't sign, the plan forward works with Yoan getting work at 3rd.

We better get busy with nonsensical posts.

Would Yoan be a backup plan at 3rd base? And that would be only if Madrigal came up to play 2nd in 2020. Or is there something else we could take from this?

I think if we removed all of the insults, haikus, and postings of fake tweets, this thread would be 100 pages. But, it would be a lot more boring.

"Well with deferred years and market differences, 7 years will equal 8 years."

Just to prove Heyman wrong: "In an historic deal, the White Sox and Padres have both signed Manny Machado, splitting an 8 year, $275M deal. Machado will play for the Padres on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays and for the White Sox Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The teams will alternate Sundays."

With all of the purported leaks yesterday, there was almost nothing regarding the Sox. Either the Sox are operating below the radar, or they haven't been serious from the beginning. I'm believing the former, of course. I just hope we hear something...maybe from one of our trusted insiders.

Good point. Maybe if he signs a deal worth $40M a year somewhere else, the first reaction might be "good thing it wasn't with the Sox", but he's probably worth that. a couple years down the road, things could look different, but who knows.

If we end up hearing that, we'll be calling for Hahn's head.