Welcome to the exhausting slog known as the Bryce Harper/Manny Machado sweepstakes.
In November and December, it was exciting and new, but here in mid-January, that wishful hysteria has transformed itself into a rare condition that has left many of us emotionally drained and physically depleted, waiting for either free agent to pick a team.
I call this ailment Harper/Machado Fatigue.
Signs and symptoms may include:
— Lack of sleep.
— Easily distracted at home and work.
— Constantly checking Twitter for the latest news (at least 50 times a day).
MLB
— Frequently writing out lineup projections with Machado and/or Harper batting around Eloy Jimenez.
— Thinking every male you see walking down the street with dark hair is Manny Machado.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is Harper/Machado Fatigue. No need to consult a physician. Simply continue reading this column for possible temporary relief. The only known cure is for either Harper or Machado to finally sign on the dotted line. I’m recommending with the White Sox.
In the meantime, I will do my best to ease your suffering by answering your questions in the Sox Drawer.
Q: How soon do you think Machado will sign, and do you think it will be with the Sox? — @Henschel_Joe18
CG: On Jan. 8, Bruce Levine reported that Machado was expected to make a decision “within a week.”
That was precisely one week ago. Still no decision. Trying to predict anything during this ongoing saga has been almost pointless, even if you think you have correct information. Just ask @DanClarkSports.
However, with pitchers and catchers reporting in just over four weeks, and with over 200 free agents still unsigned, at some point (hopefully very soon) the teams, players and agents connected with Machado and Harper will need to have this resolved. Fortunately, there have been signs over the last few days that the Machado dam is showing some cracks and that it might actually burst. Every day more news trickles out. To me, that’s a sign that there’s momentum going on behind the scenes, even if that’s one side putting a line in the sand.
I think the White Sox have a 50-percent chance at signing Machado, up from 30 percent now that the Yankees appear out of the running. The White Sox and Phillies have been quite aggressive in their pursuits, plus you cannot ignore the “mystery team” that is reportedly in the running. Is it real or just a ploy to drive up Machado’s price? Since we’ve seen both scenarios play out in the past, I’d play it safe and consider the mystery team to be for real and hope the White Sox win out in the end.
Q: Do you get the feeling that Machado could be using the Sox as leverage, or is he genuinely interested in signing here? — @JordanDynasty
CG: Without knowing what’s really going on inside the head of Machado and his agent Dan Lozano, it’s difficult to guess his motive. I believe that Machado has a genuine interest in signing with the White Sox. It helps that while you’re reading this, there’s a chance that he’s working out in Miami with his good buddies Yonder Alonso and Jon Jay. In the end, it’s going to come down to money. Will the White Sox offer enough to sign him? Stay tuned.
Q: Did the sox really offer 8 Years, 250 Million? — @cross_tillman
CG: That’s what ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Sunday. However, I reported Monday that the White Sox have not changed their stance on either money or terms since making their initial offer, thought to be around $200 million. Reading between the lines, this could be Machado’s camp or another team trying to drive up the price, and the White Sox saying, nope, we’re not going to bid against ourselves. Lots of gamesmanship going on behind the scenes. That’s just how it works sometimes.
Q: When is Machado's press conference? — @GarkischLeo
CG: How about I schedule one for Thursday. Do you think Machado would show up?
Q: Do you find this chaos frustrating or entertaining? — @BillyVig
CG: At first it was entertaining and exciting. Now it’s frustrating and exciting. Most of us didn’t think it would take this long for them to sign. But taking a step back, it actually makes some sense. This free-agent saga isn’t just about Machado and Harper, it’s also about future free agents who will be hitting the market in the next few years: Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Francisco Lindor, Kris Bryant, etc. The contracts that Harper and Machado will sign this winter will help set the bar for those All Stars (and their agents) in the future. Conclusion: There’s a whole lot at stake. Harper and Machado likely won’t sign until they believe they’ve received the very highest offer they’re going to get. To the fans and media, the wait has been frustrating. But if your team (in this case, the White Sox) is in the running to sign one of them, it’s still exciting, but honestly, it’s wearing on me more and more with every passing day.
Q: At this point, if Machado decides not to sign with the Sox, would you just put me out of my misery bc I can’t take anymore #proudofyachuck — @tfsikora1
CG: Harper/Machado Fatigue.
Q: If we sign Harper and Machado, do we just go all out and trade for Trout as well? — @Glangon
CG: Harper/Machado Delirium. Consult a physician. It’s above my medical expertise.
Q: I purchased my 10 game plan so we are $500 closer. Lol. — @ram_vince
CG: I think this might bring Manny to Chicago. Manny Ramirez.
Q: What changed on the pursuit of Harper? Just last month it seemed the Sox interest was at an all time high but there seems to have been no traction since then and no official offer according to reports. What happened? — @MattACanon
CG: Good question. I don’t know what happened, if anything. As long as Harper is still a free agent, I consider the White Sox to be in the hunt.
However, I'm told the White Sox have not made an offer to Harper. Very curious to see how this eventually plays out as well.
Q: So where exactly does Tim Anderson play if Machado is signed? — @RyanA_M
CG: I’ve been getting a lot of questions about this. If the White Sox sign Machado, it will create a big shell game in the infield, and I don’t know how it will eventually be resolved. First, will Machado play shortstop or third base? This not only could affect Anderson, but also Yoan Moncada, who Rick Hahn has said might eventually move over to third base in the future to potentially make room for Nick Madrigal at second base. There could be a lot of moving parts with this. Let’s first see if the White Sox sign Machado and take it from there.
Q: How good can Dane Dunning be? — @oglando23
CG: I spoke to Don Cooper last week about Dunning (and about 20 other pitchers) on the White Sox Talk Podcast. Coop said, “We like him. He had a heck of a year last year. He proved everything that he needed to prove and accomplished everything he needed to accomplish before being shut down (with an elbow sprain)." Cooper added that Dunning assured him that his arm feels “great.” He went 6-3 last season with a 2.71 ERA at Class A Winsto-Salem and Double-A Birmingham. When I asked Coop if he thinks Dunning has a chance to make it to the majors sometime in 2019, he said, “absolutely.”
Q: If the Rays sign Matt Davidson and use him as a DH and Reliever do you think you’ll get credit as this was your idea? — @chungdiesel
CG: Davidson becoming a DH and reliever was not my idea. It’s Matt Davidson’s idea. I’m guessing you heard me say on the podcast (Episode 178, 11:00 mark) that I believe that Davidson will find a team that will use him in both roles. My colleague Vinnie Duber looked at me like I was crazy. Maybe me and the Tampa Bay Rays are both crazy. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that the Rays are looking at Davidson as a potential two-way player. I’d love to see it.
Q: What’s your bowling average @ChuckGarfien? — @PieManRay
CG: No idea. I think my all-time high is 195. The Dude abides.
Q: It can't snow on Opening Day at Guaranteed Rate again, can it? — @XYBoy74
CG: It can’t. It won’t. Feel better?
And finally:
Q: Will you be at SoxFest? — @kj7246
CG: Yep! It all starts next Friday. NBC Sports Chicago will carry the opening ceremonies. Hope to see you there!
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