ChiSox59

We're on the same page. I've repeated in constantly so won't again, but Machado is such a better fit for the future of the franchise, it really isn't even close. Harper would be great if MM signs elsewhere, and both would be a dream come true, but if you can only have one, I am taking MM 100/100 times. Winning cures all. Having one of the best all around players in the game who is a two way player is far more valuable than having a guy who is considered to be a face of the MLB, and considered to have a generational bat, but has really only capitalized on that one of his first 6 full seasons. Winning baseball games > selling jerseys and promotional opportunities.

Fuck marketability. I want to win baseball games, which is like, the point of playing baseball games.

Pollock definitely has big time red flags, but it all boils down to if the Sox land Machado and what Pollock's market looks like. If you can get him for a deal between Brantley (2/$32) and Cutch (3/$50), I think you have to jump on it. We have a gaping black hole in CF, and if you sign Machado, you may as well attempt to put a decent product on the field. 2 years would definitely be better than 3. I know he wants like 5-7 years, but he isn't going to get that.

Lol

Quite the departure from your usual negative takes.

And at that rate, go ahead and trade a couple of Rutherford, Basabe, Walker and Gonzalez for a nice SP. I want to keep Adolfo, for whatever reason, I think he turns into a monster.

Pollock CF, Moncada 2B, Machado 3B, Harper RF, Abreu DH, Eloy LF, Alonso 1B, Castillo C, Anderson SS Oh my oh my. ?

The term "official offers" is so subjective. Its completely feasible that no team but that team that signs any player ever gives an "official offer". Like, of course a fully negotiated executable contract isn't extended until you know the player is signing with your club. There is a zero percent chance that legitimate offers have not been made to Machado at this point. He just needs to agree to a contract in principle, and then the actual contract is drawn up, making it "official".

Machado is definitely a bit of a douche, but he also plays with passion. He cares about winning. The hard slides into 2B and the jawing at other players shows he cares. That is the type of stuff that was lauded and respected 20-30 years ago. Now in today's pattycake world he's considered a dirty player (the ankle step was a dirty play and he obviously should not have done that). But that type of stuff used to be commonplace. Generally speaking, baseball has become a pretty soft game, and he is one of the few old school type players left. Like AJ was for the White Sox - he's a dbag, but he could be OUR dbag. But he just so happens to be one of the best all around players in the game. I am not really worried about him being a clubhouse problem at all. This team could certainly play with a bit more fire.

I think that is all fair. I just think winning is the best thing for fan perception. Signing Harper to a $350M+ megadeal for him to provide 3.5 fWAR over the next 4-5 seasons (which is about what he has averaged his last 3), probably isn't going to make the Sox a WS contender. He is likely a 1B or DH by the mid point of his contact, and even if he sticks in the corner OF, that is easily the deepest position of Sox prospects. Look, I'd love to get Harper. I just much prefer Machado. Getting both would obviously be a dream come true.

Except Machado is the better all around baseball player, and plays a position that is of much greater need over the course of the contract. MM is a plus defender whereas Harper is not. Harper may have more offensive upside, but he certainly hasn't played to it in recent seasons. I also think Harper is going to be more inclined to sign with a traditional power. Video game covers and ASG votes aren't nearly as important to me (not important at all, frankly) as being a better baseball player and better long term fit for this organization to develop into a perennial playoff team. MM certainly isn't without risks at this level of commitment, but I think its really not even close as to which guy is the better fit for the White Sox moving forward. Getting Machado signed certainly can't hurt with the Sox chances of getting Harper as well, if they keep their offer on the table to him post-MM signing.

Thanks for clarifying. That's a pretty positive statement.

I just think its fairly positive that 1) He wouldn't really have a reason to make this up. He's a LA and Dodger guy so makes sense he would be connected with people close to Machado. And 2) He only mentioned it on a Dodger podcast. He isn't blasting out on twitter himself to "be the first on it". I haven't listened to the podcast myself, but what was the exact wording. "Manny Machado is considering the White Sox" and "Manny Machado is leaning toward signing with the White Sox", are very different things. The former is nothing we don't already know. The latter is news.

Could certainly do worse than Delgado. Appeared in the big every season since 2011. Still just 28. One season removed from a solid performance over 63 IP. Not a bad piece to have around.

Getting Machado inked would be such a much needed shot in the arm for this organization. The Machado sweepstakes have taken so long to develop that the SP market has kind of dried up, which is unfortunate. But I guess you could still grab Pomeranz and see if Pollock's market tanks enough to get him for $15-18M AAV over 2-3 years, and then just go to battle for 2019 with a decent roster.

These leaks aren’t necessarily coming from “them”. Sure they spoke with a great deal of confidence at points and have made it no secret that they were interested in Machado / Harper. But they can’t control what the media says and they can’t MAKE either of those dudes sign. They can get aggressive with their offers and I am sure they have, but they also can’t just offer half a billion over 10 years to get these dudes and cripple the franchise either. They can’t and shouldn’t negotiate against themselves.

To be fair, you’ve found ways to be optimistic throughout this entire process. I think Machado is still possible. Harper isn’t signing with the White Sox, IMO.

+300 Million

I could see 7/ $300M. 1-4: $50M 5: $40M OPT OUT Year 6-7: $30M I think the decision becomes in the Yankees are offering something like 4 years/$200M if the extra 3 years and $100M guarantee is worth it to him to not be a Yankee. Especially if he thinks he'll opt out after year 5, its only 1 year $40M.

That would be awful. Not even worth it.

The draft pick loss sucks for him, but he's probably going to get close to the same deal Cutch got. For that, I'd be all over it. Would be willing to pay a little more if Machado was around as well.

If the boat sails on Machado, Andujar is worth considering. Until then, it just doesn’t really make sense to me personally. He’s got a great stick and is a good young player. Just wouldn’t want to use one of our best 3 assets to acquire him due to his very limited defensive ability. I also think there is basically no way the Sox are getting Andujar. The Yanks will use him In a deal for Kluber or some other top end of the rotation guy.

The no formal offers thing seems so far fetched.

His source just texted “Hi.”.

Because he’s a terrible 3B. We need to improve the defense, not make it worse. I’d definitely take Andujar all things being equal, but he’s a DH or 1B soon and that’s a pretty easy spot to fill economically in FA these days. I am not trading Carlos Rodon for him. Or Cease. Bad use of resources IMo.