KnightsOnMintSt

I’m starting to believe that there is a very good chance that Manny is going to take considerably less money to play for the Yankees.

Trying to be as unbiased as possible, I just don’t know why the Yankees would offer Machado a huge contract. I know that every team would be better with him on the roster, but they already have so much good young infield talent already. Why not spend that money on adding some big name starting pitchers? I think the biggest offer we see from the Yankees to Machado is something like 7-year, $200 million.

I think this is where things are at with Machado. Phillies have been eliminated. Manny is choosing between the Yankees and White Sox. Sox have the better offer, but Manny has always wanted to be a Yankee. Manny is deciding if he should take the money and bet on a young core, or take less money and play for a sure thing.

I’m fine with that. As long as the Sox get one of those guys, I will be ecstatic.

I am currently reading it. About half-way through. Great so far.

Anyone hoping for or expecting any White Sox Christmas gifts this year?

100% agree. I think that Harper prefers the Cubs and Machado prefers the Yankees. Harper wont sign with the Cubs unless they free up some serious space. I think Harper only signs with the Dodgers if he is willing to take a smaller deal with them. Same for Manny with the Yankees. Machado only signs with the Yankees if he is just truly willing to accept considerably less money, IMO. I think there is a very real scenario where we see the White Sox and Phillies as the last two teams for Harper and Machado. If that's the case, I would guess Harper to the Phillies and Machado to the White Sox.

It really all depends on which young guys they would be willing to throw in to that deal. If a team could get Heyward as well as Contreras... that could be interesting.

Phillies. Cubs if they can move Heyward and maybe Chatwood. Bryce returning to the Nationals is also an option, IMO.

Harper seems bound for the North Side to me. I dont think the Dodgers have much interest, considering the years and money he will require. Think the Phillies and Sox still have a chance considering we can pay a record-breaking deal. Seeing the Reds take on all that money leads me to believe that a team will take on Heyward++. Paving the way for Bryce to sign with the Cubs.

If the Sox do not get Harper or Machado, I would like to rest of the off-season to look something like this: TRADE: White Sox get: Jason Heyward, David Bote, and Ian Happ. Cubs get: Lincoln Henzman ++ FA Signings: A.J. Pollock and Dallas Keuchel 2019 White Sox: LF- Eloy Jimenez CF- Jason Heyward RF- A.J. Pollock 3B- David Bote SS- Tim Anderson 2B- Yoan Moncada 1B- Jose Abreu C- Wellington Castillo DH- Yonder Alonso 1. Dallas Keuchel 2. Carlos Rodon 3. Reynaldo Lopez 4. Lucas Giolito 5. Ivan Nova

I guess I don’t have to check this board over and over again for awhile now.

Exactly. And we need to offer some really nice opt-outs. Front load those first couple of years.

After over-thinking all these reports, I have come to a simple conclusion regarding Manny Machado. I believe he wants to play for the Yankees, and the White Sox MUST make an offer he simply cannot refuse. The only way we land him is if he sees that offer and knows that he just cannot turn it down.

Harper to the Cubs if they can move a big contract, Dodgers if the Cubs aren’t able to do that. Machado to the Yankees unless their offer is considerably below $300 million, in which case I believe the Sox land him.

Any reports on when the meeting with Philly is today?

From the looks of it, he made the face for two reasons: 1. He knows something. 2. He just thinks it’s ridiculous that the host would assume that a free agent would always choose the Yankees if all things were equal.

Thome totally made “I know something face.” Just the small clip will probably be the reason I constantly check this board tomorrow.

I think we’re going to hear something very soon after the Phillies meeting. Think it’s going to be between the Sox and Yankees. Sox will have the highest offer. It will be up to Manny if he wants to take the highest offer (Sox) or the proven winner (Yankees).

So do we think that Manny is a lock for the Yankees and his agent is using these meetings for leverage, or is there a legit chance that he could sign with the Sox/Phillies?

Cool to see Luis Robert as one of the attendees.

Any word on what time the meeting with the Yankees is happening today?

Anyone else watch that video and notice Machado totally ignore Rick Renteria on their way into the ballpark?

I think we're going to end up offering Machado the biggest contract between us, the Yankees and Phillies. But I think he'll ultimately choose the Yankees because the gap between the Sox and Yankees offer wont be enough to turn down joining that already powerful offense.

I could see that happening. And I dont think the Yankees or Phillies would make that offer.