I know you view everything White Sox related in negative/pessimistic lens, and right now, I've never been closer to doing the same. BUT....the Sox had the 2nd best offer on the table for Machado. They beat 28 other teams. Being runner up means nothing at the end of the day and I fully understand that, but I wouldn't exactly call their offer an " extreme lowball". They offered one of the top 5 guaranteed money contracts in the history of the game with the chance to the be the highest with attainable vesting options, and additional incentives. They just overplayed their hand over the course of a multiple month process trying to get the best deal possible for the organization...and that may have ultimately caused Lazano do not give them the ability the counter the Padres offer.
They fucked it right up, and I am the first to admit it. But I don't think "extreme lowball" is fair characterization.