The Bryce is Right, Bitch

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Now that I think about it, the comments about the Cubs potentially liking the FAs in 2020 better might be the truth. They may have decided in 2018 that they needed pitching, thought Harper/Machado would command too much this winter as an overcorrection to last offseason and/or for whatever reason weren't as high on them, so they spent the money earmarked for them on Yu, and then when some contracts like Zobrist come off the books after 2019 go after guys like Xander Boegarts, Arenado, Ozuna, Goldschmidt, etc.

 

Not saying I agree with the strategy, but it follows some level of logic at least.

 

This is the off-season that cubs fans became q anons

[Sammy Sofa]

And this LOL

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

http://mrwgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Just-When-I-Think-You-Couldnt-Possibly-Be-Any-Dumber-You-Go-and-Do-Something-Like-This..-and-Totally-Redeem-Yourself-In-Dumb-and-Dumber.gif

[Brian]

Charles the Cat's existence is worth it for how upset it makes r mack

[jersey cubs fan]

desperate times desperate measures

 

time to package Rizzo with Heyward to make room for Machado and Harper.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

And this LOL

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

I mean, the guy is basically worthless and entirely full of horsefeathers, but yeah. he's right about this one. none of this offseason makes sense to me

[Sammys Boombox]

If we win 95+ and a World Series this year I’m still going to be pissed at the Ricketts.

Yet I also still prefer them over most other owners. If that makes sense.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

And this LOL

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

I mean, the guy is basically worthless and entirely full of horsefeathers, but yeah. he's right about this one. none of this offseason makes sense to me

 

What a nice thing you did for Cat by adding "basically" before the worthless part.

[Liam Neeson]

[David]

And this LOL

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

I mean, the guy is basically worthless and entirely full of horsefeathers, but yeah. he's right about this one. none of this offseason makes sense to me

Yup

[Backtobanks]

And this LOL

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

All of us are monitoring what's happening with with them too. Doesn't mean any of us are going to sign them either.

[HawkeTrackler]

Now that I think about it, the comments about the Cubs potentially liking the FAs in 2020 better might be the truth. They may have decided in 2018 that they needed pitching, thought Harper/Machado would command too much this winter as an overcorrection to last offseason and/or for whatever reason weren't as high on them, so they spent the money earmarked for them on Yu, and then when some contracts like Zobrist come off the books after 2019 go after guys like Xander Boegarts, Arenado, Ozuna, Goldschmidt, etc.

 

Not saying I agree with the strategy, but it follows some level of logic at least.

 

[Brian]

Assessing which 'mystery teams' may actually be in on Harper and/or Machado

Jan. 17: As the offseason drags on and Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned, the door will stay open for more teams to jump into the race, especially if there's a sense that the price to sign them may not be as high as many initially expected.

 

In an article for ESPN+ (subscription required) on Thursday, Buster Olney listed some of the so-called "mystery teams" that are drawing speculation from industry insiders and broke down each club's chances of signing one of this offseason's superstar free agents.

 

Olney is hearing the Astros, Giants and Braves being mentioned as potential suitors for Harper; the Yankees and Padres as possible contenders for Machado; and the Rangers, Twins and Cubs as three teams that could sign either player.

 

Olney thinks most of these clubs will continue to sit out of the proceedings, but he could see Houston entering the mix for Harper if the slugger is willing to accept a shorter-term deal with opt-outs. The Astros nearly acquired Harper before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline this past season, but the Nationals backed out. As Olney points out, the team is in win-now mode, especially with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole set to enter free agency next offseason.

 

"They've got the money, for sure," said one rival official.

 

The Astros seemingly have their starting outfield set after signing Michael Brantley, but Harper would represent a massive upgrade in right field over Josh Reddick, who recorded a .718 OPS in 2018.

 

Olney concedes that it might seem odd to have the Yankees as a potential mystery team for Machado, as they were one of three clubs -- along with the Phillies and White Sox -- to meet with him in December. But with Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu in the fold, New York is not aggressively pursuing Machado at this time. That could change, though, if Machado's asking price falls into a range that the Yankees are more comfortable with.

[Backtobanks]

Assessing which 'mystery teams' may actually be in on Harper and/or Machado

Jan. 17: As the offseason drags on and Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned, the door will stay open for more teams to jump into the race, especially if there's a sense that the price to sign them may not be as high as many initially expected.

 

In an article for ESPN+ (subscription required) on Thursday, Buster Olney listed some of the so-called "mystery teams" that are drawing speculation from industry insiders and broke down each club's chances of signing one of this offseason's superstar free agents.

 

Olney is hearing the Astros, Giants and Braves being mentioned as potential suitors for Harper; the Yankees and Padres as possible contenders for Machado; and the Rangers, Twins and Cubs as three teams that could sign either player.

 

Olney thinks most of these clubs will continue to sit out of the proceedings, but he could see Houston entering the mix for Harper if the slugger is willing to accept a shorter-term deal with opt-outs. The Astros nearly acquired Harper before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline this past season, but the Nationals backed out. As Olney points out, the team is in win-now mode, especially with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole set to enter free agency next offseason.

 

"They've got the money, for sure," said one rival official.

 

The Astros seemingly have their starting outfield set after signing Michael Brantley, but Harper would represent a massive upgrade in right field over Josh Reddick, who recorded a .718 OPS in 2018.

 

Olney concedes that it might seem odd to have the Yankees as a potential mystery team for Machado, as they were one of three clubs -- along with the Phillies and White Sox -- to meet with him in December. But with Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu in the fold, New York is not aggressively pursuing Machado at this time. That could change, though, if Machado's asking price falls into a range that the Yankees are more comfortable with.

 

I find it amazing that any writer is still mentioning the Cubs as a possibility after everything that has been written and said.

[Cubswin11]

Assessing which 'mystery teams' may actually be in on Harper and/or Machado

Jan. 17: As the offseason drags on and Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned, the door will stay open for more teams to jump into the race, especially if there's a sense that the price to sign them may not be as high as many initially expected.

 

In an article for ESPN+ (subscription required) on Thursday, Buster Olney listed some of the so-called "mystery teams" that are drawing speculation from industry insiders and broke down each club's chances of signing one of this offseason's superstar free agents.

 

Olney is hearing the Astros, Giants and Braves being mentioned as potential suitors for Harper; the Yankees and Padres as possible contenders for Machado; and the Rangers, Twins and Cubs as three teams that could sign either player.

 

Olney thinks most of these clubs will continue to sit out of the proceedings, but he could see Houston entering the mix for Harper if the slugger is willing to accept a shorter-term deal with opt-outs. The Astros nearly acquired Harper before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline this past season, but the Nationals backed out. As Olney points out, the team is in win-now mode, especially with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole set to enter free agency next offseason.

 

"They've got the money, for sure," said one rival official.

 

The Astros seemingly have their starting outfield set after signing Michael Brantley, but Harper would represent a massive upgrade in right field over Josh Reddick, who recorded a .718 OPS in 2018.

 

Olney concedes that it might seem odd to have the Yankees as a potential mystery team for Machado, as they were one of three clubs -- along with the Phillies and White Sox -- to meet with him in December. But with Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu in the fold, New York is not aggressively pursuing Machado at this time. That could change, though, if Machado's asking price falls into a range that the Yankees are more comfortable with.

 

I find it amazing that any writer is still mentioning the Cubs as a possibility after everything that has been written and said.

In fairness Buster Olney isn’t really a writer. He’s a dumb horsefeathers.

[Tim]

Sign Bryce!

[Sammys Boombox]

Maybe the Ricketts are just trying to drive up the odds in Vegas and their rich buddies are going to place bets on the Cubs signing Harper at very long odds? Right? RIGHT?

[Have a seat, Neifi]

I know I shouldn't be doing this, but...

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Cubswin11]

Just make it stop

[ThePenguin11]

The Cubs are definitely out on Bryce Harper. However, definitely don’t count them out.

[Brian]

Official petition to Tim to rename this section 'Charles the Cat Transactions Forum' if Bryce signs with the Cubs.

[Gilby]

Now I wonder if the front office does regret Hamels. If they would've known the Harper and Machado market apparently doesn't seriously include the Yankees or Dodgers, I wonder if they proceed differently.

[Cubswin11]

Now I wonder if the front office does regret Hamels. If they would've known the Harper and Machado market apparently doesn't seriously include the Yankees or Dodgers, I wonder if they proceed differently.

I don’t think his $20 million (or $13 million depending on how you look at the Smyly trade) is relevant to Bryce or no Bryce at all.

[Sammy Sofa]

Now I wonder if the front office does regret Hamels. If they would've known the Harper and Machado market apparently doesn't seriously include the Yankees or Dodgers, I wonder if they proceed differently.

I don’t think his $20 million (or $13 million depending on how you look at the Smyly trade) is relevant to Bryce or no Bryce at all.

 

Yeah, the only way it really is is if Rickett's BS about things being tight THIS year, but opening up very quickly afterwards isn't BS.

 

Spoiler: it's complete BS.

[Neuby]

In Theo we trust- 11/2/2016

 

I'm still betting Cubs.

[Deeg]

Now I wonder if the front office does regret Hamels. If they would've known the Harper and Machado market apparently doesn't seriously include the Yankees or Dodgers, I wonder if they proceed differently.

 

They couldn’t even afford Chavez at 4 million a year. What makes you think not picking up Hamels’ option would have priced them in on Harper or Machado?