steveno89

While the Sox have a seat at the table, I would still consider us to be dark horses for Harper/Machado for a few reasons. 1) We have yet to sign a free agent to a deal larger than Abreu's. There's a first time for everything, but I'll believe it when it happens. 2) Joining a rebuilding club vs. a contender is not an easy sell. Sox sadly play second fiddle to the Cubs in this town as well. We certainly have a chance at each player, but I am not as optimistic as most fans are about our chances.

This comes down to money. Pay me the most money and very strong chance the player signs with you. Simple. The media and front offices can spin things however they want, but that is pretty much what this boils down to.

Dunning + Basabe + Rutherford is a pretty strong package. I would think that absolutely gets you in a conversation about a cost controlled, quality young starting pitcher.

Hard to peg right now? I wouldn't say the chance is as high as 25% of signing both though. That is a ton of payroll space for two players.

Possible? Sure. Likely? I doubt it.

Swisher has to be up there. He was awful for us.

I would not read into this very much. Jimenez should be 100% for spring training, and then his several week AAA stint before he's patrolling the outfield in Chicago.

Sox and Phillies seem to be the only teams willing to shell out large offers to Harper/Machado, but we will see how this unfolds.

I can't see the Cubs being able to clear themselves of Chatwood's two remaining years, as he's closer to being released than traded. No MLB club is going to want a starter who walked 95 batters in just over 100 innings for the next two years.

Nothing much new to report on or discuss. Typically there will be activity the last two weeks of December as discussions remain ongoing

Harper is far more marketable than Machado, and makes a better face of the franchise. That doesn't mean I wouldn't really like Machado on my roster though

Whether a player signs now, or in a month really doesn't matter as long as you sign them. It's still the offseason afterall. Full rebuilds like the Sox take years, and we are still at least a full season, if not two, away from true contention.

Ditto Not going to happen. the MLBPA wouldn't allow it, and the current luxury tax acts as a de facto salary cap anyways.

Why though? There's nothing else really going on until spring training anyway. What would deadlines do?

If we don't get Harper I'd get over it. If we do not get Harper and the Cubs somehow managed to sign him it would sting for a very long time.

That is a risk we should be willing to take. Harper is a former MVP, just entering his prime. Sox have not splurged on a free agent in twenty years, the time is now.

Harper signs with the Sox = Vast majority of Sox fans overcome with emotion and joy, a franchise changing moment, huge for the city of Chicago There would still be a few fans saying we should have signed Machado instead, or that Harper wasn't worth the money blah blah blah

Tons of smoke today from various sources. Not sure what it means, but the pot seems to be stirring. Trying to remain calm as this crap could drag out for weeks or even months without resolution.

Harper has been the plan and focus all season long for the front office. Machado is plan B, but I feel like all along the primary offseason goal has been to bring Harper aboard. The rebuild needs a face, and he very well could be it.

This is not worth getting worked up over. I'm sure they scoured and carefully considered if they would be interested in any potential players. They did not see anyone that was worth keeping on the roster all season, and I don't blame them. Might as well get cash for a pick you are not going to use.

I think there will be enough smoke that when Harper/Machado get to the finish line one of the Nationals reporters will be the one to break the story

Joel Sherman has broke some big news before as well

Agreed. I'll buy into smoke when the National reporters jump on it.

That would be a nightmare scenario. I honestly don't even want to think about that.

Harper/Machado could easily drag out until after January 1st They will try to squeeze as much money as possible out of teams