The Bryce is Right, Bitch

[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...

[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?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

[PackLandVA]

Less than 2 days until the Bryce signing is miraculously announced!

[Backtobanks]

Less than 2 days until the Bryce signing is miraculously announced!

By which team?

[StarlinOnYou]

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?

I wish.

These bets typically have like $500-1000 limits.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

I feel like the cat is hanging on to the fantasy that all the other teams offer insulting deals and Bryce approaches us about a 1 year deal so he can play for fun with Kris and on a contender before entering free agency again and settling for whatever turd team gives him the best/longest deal.

[Brian]

Surprising signings tonight guaranteed!

[Sammy Sofa]

How much are they charging for this debacle?

[Brian]

Weekend pass was $125

[treebird]

How much are they charging for this debacle?

I DONT KNOW BUT ITS NOT ENOUGH SINCE THERE ARE TAXES AND THATS WHY THE CUBS CANT SIGN BRYCE AND HOW DARE YOU QUESTION THE SPENDING THE PLAYERS ARE LUCKY WE CHOOSE TO PAY THEM AT ALL

[jersey cubs fan]

on the one hand, cubs stopped trying to win and this offseason sucks, on the other hand, there's tree

[Derwood]

How much are they charging for this debacle?

Well the year I went, I bought the stupid passes and then discovered that anyone could walk in off the street and do everything because there was no ticket checking/taking checkpoint anywhere in between the hotel doors and the convention hall

[Bull]

How much are they charging for this debacle?

Well the year I went, I bought the stupid passes and then discovered that anyone could walk in off the street and do everything because there was no ticket checking/taking checkpoint anywhere in between the hotel doors and the convention hall

The year I went (2016), I bought the passes off of an autograph hound for $20 bucks via craigslist. They just kept the autograph scratch-off. We met at the door. I went to the sessions (and asked if the Joe was serious about Javy Baez in centerfield), they got a ball signed and sold it on ebay.