CWSpalehoseCWS

Usually I save this to get me through my boring job, but I’ll let you know in a bit.

Didi’s also much more valuable to the Yankees than anyone else IMO. His left handed bat plays up in that stadium with the RF porch. I wonder what his SLG% is outside that park. I’d bet it’s lower.

Harper taking a short term deal would really negatively impact future free agents. We’ve already seen the market completely shift focus on older players past their prime. If a 26 yr. old can’t get a record deal, the MLBPA will have an aneurysm.

I know some have mixed feelings about WSD, but check the end of this article out: https://www.barstoolsports.com/chicago/sources-me-troy-tulowitzki-signs-1-year-deal-with-yankees/ Says he has has more #scoopcity info later today. Might be nothing or completely unrelated to Machado, but could be interesting nonetheless.

I don’t think the Yankees signing Tulo removes them at all from the Manny sweepstakes, but this is a bit interesting in what they have essentially done to their offer to him. General consensus seems to be that Tulo was promised the starting SS gig until Didi returns. That pretty much removes the option for Manny to play SS with the Yankees. I would have considered that the only other plus for the Yankees in what they have to offer compared to the Sox. Now it seemingly comes down to the question “do you want to be a Yankee - yes or no?” Almost feels like the Yankees are trying to low-ball Machado and force him to their terms. Although, being paid the MLB minimum, Tulo could be released before ST ends if the Yankees don’t like what they see, making all this null and void. Very little risk for them.

Yep. At 8/$280M - that's around $35M per year. Even at $40M, I don't see how that would entice Machado away from the Yankees. And anything over $40M per year seems insane.

Donn Roach is back in the organization. Japan didn't go so well for him.

Well, whose to say they didn't try? Houston is a damn good team to play on and I'd bet you there's a lot of players that wouldn't mind playing for them.

1) Trade Alonso. See if the Yankees or Astros want him. I really don’t need a year-long reminder of missing out on Machado on the team. Plus I’d rather see Palka in the DH spot and he also can spell Abreu at 1B. 2) Sign D.J. LeMahieu to a 2 year deal. He can bat lead off or in the 2 spot. Move Moncada to 3B. Sanchez becomes your backup IF. 3) Sign Ottavino.

Who knows though what 5 years down the road will be like. The luxury tax limit could be even high than it is now, hell it could be completely overhauled and different after the next CBA. There’s also a very good chance both Harper and Machado will use their opt outs. I’d be shocked if either of them make it through the entirety of their deals. They are both young enough that I think it would be pretty hard to imagine them falling off a cliff before age 30 and not get another payday.

I'd go 10/380 personally.

You'd think after this season they would drop considerably. Lot to be excited about.

I would agree. Not signing Harper or Machado is a failure on the Sox part. They’ve said as much that they have planned for this. It doesn’t make the rebuild a failure, as many people are tying the two together. But it does slow down the rebuild. The Sox have this spending room for a reason. They have to capitalize on it.

All valid points, but it excludes some positives that were unexpected like Luis Gonzalez’s breakout, Aldofo’s power breakout (while hurt), Rutherford showing signs of improvement, some solid seasons from unexpected minor league pitchers like Flores, etc. I don’t think the rebuild is at the point of failure. If Eloy comes up and looks like crap, that’s when I would begin to worry.

Red Sox don’t have a closer ATM so he could get some opportunities if not all of them there.

If Manny wants to prove to his doubters that he is a leader and lead the Sox rebuild, that could be an angle. Not saying that tops the money - that’s still the most important thing. But there are other factors that could come into play if the money is close.

Just remember... with great posting comes great responsibility.

That seems hard to believe.

If this was the case, why not use that theoretical money to shore up actual areas of team needs, like the bullpen and rotation? Harper is a great add for whichever team he eventually signs with, but the Cubs have much bigger areas of need.

Here’s a random theory totally out of leftfield. What if the Sox are a 3rd team in potential trade talks between the Indians and Padres for Kluber? Could that even work? Would the Padres have something expendable and cost controlled the Sox would want? I don’t think the Sox would want to give a prospect to the Indians, but they did just complete the Alonso trade. Edit: I’m not saying the Sox would get Kluber, just act as the third team to help conplete the deal.

Jones can’t really play CF anymore. He’s in the same boat as McCutchen.

No way. Clayton Richard has been in the league for 10 years and has a CAREER WAR of just 1.1

I think the reality of a strike seems very real with or without the status of their contracts. However, I think both sides learned their lesson in the 90's regarding mid-season strikes.

Nothing in particular, just my gut. That random twitter account that no one really knows what to make of said he has big news regarding Harper: Obviously taken with a grain of salt (if he even deserves that). It's harder and harder to stay optimistic as this drags on. Just want all this crap to be over with! I'll never jump ship. What I was getting at is how this offseason could potentially changed the Sox irrelevance. If the Cubs end up becoming a reason that doesn't happen - fuck them. So sick and tired of them being treated like the golden calf of Chicago. We deserve nice things too.

I saw that. I have a feeling I'm going to go from a Sox fan that could care less from the Cub to a Sox fan that hates the Cubs.