almagest

The more I think about it the more I think this is key. You are incredibly lucky to see TWO franchise talents in the prime of their career in one free agent class. We never thought this would happen. You horribly blew one, so now make sure the other doesn't get away. If Harper signs to anything resembling a reasonable deal with another team I think I'm gonna start a "Sell the teams, Jerry" billboard fund for right outside GRate & the UC.

I wouldn't put Madrigal in that boat yet. Yeah he's a high floor guy but that's because he's got a 70 or 80 hit tool and plays good D up the middle. That's super rare and you bet on him being able to develop a little power and/or some better selectivity to walk more.

I have a huge backlog of video games I'll be working through!

That's fine, you trade from that depth to fill other holes. And not every one of those guys is going to hit, much less put up the kind of numbers Bryce Harper can.

I know. None of you know me very well because I seldom post but I have been defending this organization and trusting them to be working to put the best product on the field throughout this rebuild. Today shows me that either that's not true or it could never be true because of their organizational philosophy (or just general incompetence). I would be one of the last people to say "I'm not watching or attending any games" yet here we are. This is absolutely not where this organization should be right now and its really sad.

Where?

It's not spite. It's not supporting a product that doesn't provide any value to us. The Sox are entertainment. I can find other ways to enjoy myself that aren't an embarrassment to a whole industry.

This is exactly what needs to happen but it won't and that makes me sick to my stomach.

The Bulls dumpster fire gives me no hope anything would've changed.

It was. They wouldn't have changed their operating procedures even if they didn't catch lightning in a bottle that year. We'd probably be in the same place we are now, just with no "Palmeiro, over the head of Jenks... Uribe charges, throws... OUT! And the White Sox have won the world series!" to repeatedly watch on Youtube.

It's possible but way less likely than paying an established player in the prime of his career what he wants so he comes onboard to anchor your team against the prospects that don't pan out. Other people have said it already but this is the biggest failure by this franchise that I can remember and I've been around for almost 37 years. It's almost unbelievable and it's all their fault.

100%. I can't believe how badly they played themselves. They really are incompetent.

I also don't understand why this organization cares about payroll 7+ years down the road when they haven't been in the postseason since 2008. Who cares about salary flexibility then when you've gone much longer than that without being competitive?

I don't even think they're smarter. They just wanted to seal the deal and did it. The White Sox were too smart for their own good and got burned.

And thats why they won't sign either of these players and I'll be watching the Cardinals/Brewers/Eloy highlights this year.

That's the only way this will work apparently. These "swell-opts" and other complex contracts are bullshit. Players want guaranteed money. Give it to a guy who could give you 9 WAR in his best years and at worst is still an above average player.

The Padres offer was player-friendly. The Sox offer was team-friendly. Not rocket science here. It was a competitive offer in that it was likely second-best. As usual. I am so, so so angry with this team right now. This is the lowest I've ever felt about this organization and its understanding of how to successfully run a rebuilding franchise.

No.

What the hell is going on

If its true the Sox are trying to get both Harper and Machado I'd think it more likely they have the top offer for Machado but he's still seeing what he can get on the market, and they're still in contact with Harper to see what it will take to get him signed. They could've pitched them both on playing together as well. They may have also structured the offers for both in a way where it makes sense if they actually sign both (I doubt this is true though).

Didn't say I thought they would, just they would have to be at the luxury tax to be able to field a competitive roster with so much money tied up in two players.

If the Sox believe they can be consistently competitive by signing Bryce and Manny I think they can do it, but they'd have to be at or above the luxury tax threshold. Which is $208 million (and up) starting in 2020. You'd be looking at ~33% of your payroll being occupied by Bryce and Manny, assuming each is at 35 mil/yr. That seems doable while maintaining a competitive team, I just don't know if its smart.

I don't know why they would damage the relationship with one of their biggest clients to post a troll job. Seems really stupid and short-sighted.

As much as I'm trying not to get excited over small things, those gloves are getting me a first-class ticket on the hype train...

This picture is actually this guy: https://about.van.fedex.com/our-story/leadership/brian-philips/