Roughneck

Probably not. He's a top 3B defensively, but nothing special at short (although I suppose he could improve there with more play). But considering how much he whined about wanting to play SS and the fact that he forced that move in a contract year, I just assume that any team which signs him is going to do so knowing he's the everyday SS. Unless he *really* wants to go to the Yankees and signs there after being told Gregorious is the everyday DD once he's healthy, I don't think he's signing anywhere to be 3B.

Nothing they can do about it. Nicky Delmonico is our Dwyane Wade. They're both signing here. It'll be the Big 2.25.

I disagree. The Sox absolutely can be the Angels. They would naturally have lower attendance in April, but the Sox are a sleeping giant in terms of the fan base. If the team is managed right over a 10 year period, there's no reason at all they can't draw huge crowds and be a national presence, routinely signing top free agents. I just hope if and when we get there, the Sox have better luck with those free agents.

I have a feeling like Machado will sign somewhere within the next week. No reason why; just a feeling. I think all signs point to Harper/Boras dragging things out. Reports that he's waiting on the Cubs to clear payroll (which I don't believe), reports that he's waiting for the Dodgers to clear payroll because he wants to live closer to LV, Boras saying "the Yankees aren't out of it." It seems like they are desperately trying to either get other teams in on the bidding or get the Sox/Phils to up their offer. I could see him being a late-January signing.

Obviously we don't know the details of the Yankees' offer. I'm just going off reports of them not seeing him as a $300m player and not wanting to invest longterm. But even with 8/256, he'd be leaving $70-80 million on the table. I'd give a leeway of $40 mil on a contract this big. But I don't know if he will be able to overlook $70 mil. And a contract with the Sox or Phillies would have the same opt-outs. I think if there is a big discrepancy in the money, he'll take the highest guarantee in case he Heywards, then opt out in a few years if the Sox or Phils don't have their shit together. But I don't see him leaving that much on the table. Maybe I'm naïve.

If the Yankees are offering $280 mil and the Sox $330, I agree with you. But if the Yankees say the best they can do is 4 years and $150? That's a huge reason to sign with the Sox, even if either deal provides insane dollars he'll never be able to spend anyway. But the Yankees have been a "good" team for the last 18 years. And in that span, they only managed 1 title. So they would likely make the playoffs every year Manny is there, but there's also a good shot he still doesn't win. I think in that case, he would be positioned to take all the blame for the losses, while Judge et al get all the credit for wins. It just comes with the territory of that salary. Maybe he tunes out the press and it doesn't bother him. It's much easier to block out the real world when you've got a few hundred million and live in a Manhattan high rise. But maybe that press and being boo'd nightly would get to him.

You're correct. It will be awful. But if it comes to that, what should the team do? Go out and give big contracts to mediocre players who will provide minor upgrades, or guys "win now" guys who won't match up with the Sox' window? Or should they just do marginal housekeeping and hope to get a big fish or two next year, when the talent level is much lower? I don't know. Tough call, and I hope it doesn't come to that.

If Machado is smart, he'll see that there is only a very small upside with the Yankees. Mind you, that upside is that he might have a better chance to win there than with the Sox or Phillies, but that is hampered by the number of giant salaries the Yankees will have to balance. But Machado will never be a Yankee hero. The NY press will destroy him for any time not hustling; any time striking out with men on base in a loss. Judge is the hero for Yankees fans. Machado will be cheered if he does well and the team wins. But if he struggles? It will *all* fall on him. He will be the highest paid player, so he will get all the blame. He will be boo'd out of the building on a daily basis, and the press will skewer him. There is no scenario in which he becomes the face of the Yankees (for even a brief period). Very small upside and huge downside. He could end up the face of the Phillies, but obviously he would face the same wrath from Phillies fans, or even worse. So if that's one of the things he's looking for, he'll look elsewhere.

I've been on and off lurking this board for 12 years now. Great time for my first post! And this is the post that got me out. I am not the Roman who apparently was a jackass on here, but I used to post as TheOldRoman on WSI, for maybe 6 years or so. Then the board dwindled, the mods became overbearing, and I just decided to leave. I've checked back there a few times since leaving, and WSI is a ghost town now, consisting entirely of the people who made me want to leave. Anyway, my former screen name was taken when I tried to register here, so I just went with this. I haven't posted on any Sox site in years, so I figured this is as good a time as any to come out of the shadows. Hi, everybody!