steveno89

Drew Jackson in the Dodgers system could be an interesting player. Quality speed, can likely handle 2B/SS/3B defensively, has some pop.

Keuchel could be good on a 4 year deal, I don't think I would want to go beyond that though. 4/80 probably does not win the bid for him

10/450 is insane no matter how you slice it. Harper is a great talent, but he is not Trout. Teams are likely willing to go in the 320-350 range, but I would struggle to see the bidding go beyond that on a 10 year deal. 10/340 would be my guess, with an opt out after 4 seasons at Harper's age 30

All indications are that he prefers to sign with a team on the West Coast. I do not think the White Sox are really a fit for him.

2/30 isn't a bad deal for him or for the Rays

Hugely depends on how the next 4 season go though. Injuries can happen, poor performance/regression, etc. No way you can bank on a contact 4 years down the line, take the money when you can get it.

Dodgers surely remain a considerable threat to sign Harper, as do the Phillies, and Nationals. Harper would have to take an immense and foolish discount if he wanted to sign with the Cubs on a 4 year deal. No way you can turn down the mega $$$$ generational wealth that your family is being offered. I just do not see that happening, pure speculation.

Grandal could make a ton of sense and solidify the catcher position for the Sox for the next 3-4 seasons. At the end of the day, Harper/Machado just might elect to sign elsewhere, but ownership and the front office will have a difficult time explaining why we couldn't pony up enough to win the bid? For the rebuild to work we will need to add premium pitching and position players along the way, as no chance we get it done solely from our own farm.

Exactly. The plan cannot just be to continue losing and tanking in years 3, 4, 5, etc. Eventually we need to start adding quality players via free agency and trade to help build a contender. Ownership and the front office know that the time is now for big move(s)

Our pitching staff is still too much of a question mark for the Sox to compete in 2019 regardless of what postion players we manage to sign this offseason. Rotation help like Cease/Dunning won't be ready until about July/August at the earliest as well.

Good way of looking at things. There is no reason for them to rush the process, but at the end of the day money always talks. Offer a player the most money and 90% chance he's signing with you.

Jones may struggle to land more than a one year deal anywhere due to his regression. He's a liability in center field, and his bat isn't really good enough to be a corner regular. For a one year stopgap? Maybe, but I'd be in no rush to sign him.

The high income tax rate in California surely becomes a consideration on a mega deal like this as well. It's not just $50 million less per se.

I'm shocked at how many here do not seem to be on board with exploring a Grandal signing. He has been one of the best starting catchers in the league and is available for only money (and draft/international pool money). He would be a substantial upgrade for the Sox.

Not a terrible deal. Cutch is still a solid player, just not elite like he used to be. Still likely has a few productive seasons left in the tank.

I don't feel this impacts their pursuit of Harper/Machado/etc

If I am Harper/Machado I would be in zero rush to sign a contract, and even dragging things out into January could to to their advantage as teams get more desperate to make a splash.

it's not even 10:00 am in Vegas right now, sit tight

Heavily frontloaded as well, right? That bid should get it done hahahaha

Harper is not getting 450, and 400 is pretty questionable in my mind as well

I have my doubts teams will give an offer that is 10/400, as that is a crippling amount to pay one player long term

Machado or Harper to the Yankees would really piss off the baseball world...the rich get richer. Would certainly bring back the evil empire sentiment around baseball.

The public nature of the Harper/Machado interest is a bit strange to me, as the Sox have typically preferred to fly under the radar. I won't be upset if they come up short in signing a Harper/Machado, as they cannot control what the player ultimately decides to do. I worry the fanbase will revolt if we do not land a big fish though with so much smoke, which isn't exactly fair.

I like Nova, but he's pretty far away to make sense for our contention window. If I am dealing Abreu, I would like to try and help boost the team in the next 2-5 years with talent.

Madrigal?