ChiSoxFanMike

Well, I have 2 tests tomorrow that I was planning on studying for today. I guess that isn't going to happen.

Not to mention Luis Robert. Like you said, I'm not counting on the Sox getting either one of these guys, but I don't think it's impossible.

The biggest clue of all IMO is the picture of Harper wearing the Bulls hat he posted the other day. I do not think that was coincidental at all.

I'm 99.9% sure the Cubs aren't getting either of them, which is fantastic.

Imagine if the Sox got Harper this offseason and Arenado next offseason. A man can dream.

Can't rule out the Cardinals either, at least for Harper. But I'm liking our chances.

Yankees appear to be out on Harper: @StevePhillipsGM "Bad news for Scott Boras and Bryce Harper: per a source the #Yankees “will not be in on Harper.” Not a complete surprise as indicated by re-signing of Brett Gardner. Seems Machado and pitching additions are Plan A."

I don't see any way that Harper will go to the Cubs. I suppose it is possible in theory but it would open up the whole luxury tax issue for them and I'd think that they would want to avoid that if at all possible.

How does a thread about Manny Bañuelos in 2018 have 75 posts?

I wish you were GM. I love your ideas. There is really no excuse for the Sox to not be in on Harper and Machado but with this front office you never know.

I'd have Castillo at catcher and preferably someone else at 2nd base (maybe someone like Jed Lowrie), but otherwise this would be amazing.

Anyone think Josh Donaldson could be a possibility for the Sox if they miss out on Machado?

IT'S HAPPENING!!!

I still think it's a lot more likely that the Sox get Machado than Harper, but who knows. That's why I love the hot stove. Anything can happen.

I like Patrick Nolan but the guy threw a temper tantrum because the Sox got rid of Kevan Smith. Like c'mon now.

Russell is never happening but I agree with his premise. Exploring bad short term contracts in order to get prospects/other MLB players isn't a terrible idea.

Another thing to consider as far as Machado goes is that the Sox would not have to forfeit a draft pick if they were to sign him. Being able to land a player of his caliber while keeping the draft pick has to be appealing from the Sox perspective, especially since they're still in the process of the rebuild.

I'd take him over Hector Santiago as the long man, but that's not really saying much.

Has it been said anywhere that the Phillies are out on him?

Eovaldi would have been great but he will be way too expensive. Either of the Gray's and Shields is fine, Cease will replace Shields at some point next season anyway.

Kicking the metaphorical can down the road is the worst thing the Sox can do at this point in time IMO.

Machado isn't going back to the Dodgers and from what I've seen, the Cardinals are more interested in Harper. That leaves the Phillies, the Yankees, and us as the top 3 for Machado as of now. I don't think it's as impossible as some of you think.

As of right now, what do you guys think the odds are that the Sox will get Machado or Harper? I'll say 25% for Machado and like 1% for Harper, I don't see it happening with him.

He has no power though and he's already like 30 years old. I don't know why people (especially on Twitter) are making such a huge deal out of this. He isn't that good and wasn't the future at the catching position anyway. Who cares.

Thanks guys. I can't wait for the frenzy to start. I think everything will happen much earlier this offseason that it did last year.