steveno89

Teams have gotten smarter than in the past, and are very reluctant to short sightedly sign players to 10+ year deals. I think Sox hold firm at 7-8 years and say "this is our best offer"

Decent possibility. If the Yankees really wanted him, I would think a deal would be done already. I'm guessing there is a substantial money and year difference between the Yankees and Phillies/White Sox. Machado is holding out for bigger final offers before making a decision.

I would not go that far Signing a Harper/Machado would obviously be a huge boost to our rebuild, but you cannot predict the motivations of a player at the end of the day. We all want one premium free agent whale, and they are doing their best to make it happen

Why would the White Sox effectively bid against themselves? It is not as if there are ten suitors dying to sign Machado

Harper back to Nationals gaining momentum, some reports suggesting the Phillies are circling back to Machado This seems to be heating up alot

They may try, but teams are not going to bid against themselves at this point. Machado's camps may want $300 million, but I don't see it happening

Welcome!

If the Yankees really want Machado, that is where he will end up signing. I'm not sure they want to tie up that much long term flexibility into Manny though?

I feel like by Friday we might have a decision either way on Machado

This has been a carousel of BS that changes weekly, even daily. I think the Sox have a strong shot at Manny, very small chance at Harper.

I really really want to believe as well, but not sure how credible a guy with 21 total tweets is

This offseason has been incredibly slow to develop. Very few multi year deals, barely any trades either. I'm really ready for Machado and Harper to make their decisions so we can all have peace

Agents would not lie like that, it would destroy their credibility moving forward.

The Yankees would have to be considered the "favorite" from the beginning so long as the money and years were close. If/when Andujar gets dealt, that is when I would be very concerned about Machado to the Yankees shortly after.

My thoughts are if the Yankees really wanted Harper/Machado they would have already signed one of them. The Yankees typically go out and get their guy. Neither player is taking a substantial discount just to play in New York

I do not feel that Harper is serious about signing with the White Sox based on gut feeling. I think he's going to a major market, or, most likely, back to the Nationals. Machado is in play.

The reasoning almost does not matter as much as if the Sox fail to land one of Harper/Machado they would have missed a golden opportunity to add a major piece to the rebuild that would only cost money. Payroll flexibility is something they have plenty of. I know the front office is trying, but coming up short is not really an option.

Not to remind everyone, but if we cannot land a big fish with tons of payroll flexibility and a limited pool of suitors it does not bode well for us down the line. We can downplay the necessity all we want, but the rebuild largely hinges on landing one of Machado/Harper.

Sox were reportedly "among the finalists" for Joe Kelly earlier in the offseason. Kelly signed with the Dodgers for 3/25 million. Herrera must have been plan B?

I would not go past 8 years for either player. You want to pay for a players prime, not the declining years if possible. Seven would be ideal

Sox would still be in on Harper, although I feel we are much more of a longshot to sign him than Machado. My gut says Harper ends up back with the Nationals

WSD is a pretty reliable source When he tweets the eyeballs something is up

This free agent circus needs to end soon. The speculation and back and forth is getting tedious.

It would be very awkward if the Sox do not sign Machado after the whole "Banana Boat Diplomacy" strategy by adding Alonso and Jay

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/white-sox-sign-kelvin-herrera-as-relief-market-shrinks/ Article on Herrera