ChiSoxFanMike

It's to be expected for Sox fans to discuss the pros and cons of signing a player like Harper or Machado, but I don't think those conversations have any real-world impact on whether the Sox will get one of them or not.

What changed recently that makes people think the Sox getting either one of them is now a "pipedream"?

Is Collins really that much of a butcher defensively? I thought he was supposed to be the catcher long term.

I just don't see the point of Grandal. The Sox would have to forfeit a pick to get him and they already have Narvaez/Castillo with Collins/Zavala.

You're right that Heyward was pretty much the same age when he signed with the Cubs as Harper is now, but I don't know what their WAR has to do with anything. There's not a baseball fan on the face of the Earth that would take Heyward over Harper even though Heyward has been more "valuable" from a WAR standpoint over his career.

It would be the most White Sox thing ever to spent significant money on Grandal instead of Harper/Machado.

You can't compare Heyward to Harper from a talent perspective. Cmon.

Miggy and Pujols were each about 32 years old when they signed their most recent contracts. Harper is 26. TWENTY SIX. A player of his magnitude entering free agency at his age is almost unprecedented. The Sox should give him whatever he wants, it would be 100% worth it if they win a championship with him on the team.

If anything, they should spend on relievers. Their bullpen was hot garbage after Morrow went down.

Unless he's willing to take a discount, this isn't going to happen.

Is Senzel really that much more valuable than Cease? The Reds are always desperate for pitching and Cease's upside is as high as any prospect in the game.

I'd give serious thought to trading Cease for Senzel straight up.

I still love the idea of trading for Nick Senzel. I don't know how realistic that is though.

Yes, really.

Harper is coming to the Sox. I've never been more confident about it than I am right now.

The Yankees can have Machado. I want Harper.

Agreed. He's been a great player his entire tenure with the Sox but last year was his worst season by far and he's getting up there in age. Like I said, I'd do a 3 year and $30 million extension. No more.

I wouldn't give him $15 million a season moving forward. But maybe that's just me.

3 years/$30 million.

In a perfect world, this is what I want the Sox to do: Get Harper or Machado. A superstar in their prime to anchor the lineup and be the face of the franchise long term. AND Sign a couple of the bridge guys (Donaldson/Brantley/McCutchen/Moustakas/Happ/Cahill/Familia) to 1 or 2 year deals. This would make the team much more formidable in the short term, but these guys wouldn't be blocking any prospects. The Sox would once again have a substantial amount to spend in a couple years once these contracts are up to use towards filling holes when the team should be closer to being a legit contender. This would be the best of both worlds in my opinion.

Money would change that real fast.

I would actually consider that Trout proposal if he signed an extension immediately after, but that would never happen.

It's going to happen. I'd bet one of Greg's houses on it.

I might be in the minority but I don't even want Arenado. He'll be just about 29 on Opening Day 2020 and his stats away from Coors aren't all that special.

At worst, Donaldson is probably an ~.800 OPS guy for the foreseeable future assuming he can stay on the field. I'd take that production in a heartbeat.