White Sox Miss out on Machado, but Alomar brothers still in Play

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Our long national nightmare is over.  Manny Machado has signed a 10 year deal for $30 million.  And to the surprise of nobody, at least outside of the White Sox organization, he didn’t sign with the White Sox.  Instead, Machado is now with the Padres.  After the Sox lost out on Machado, gibberish ensued.

White Sox front others follows players lead and strike out

White Sox baseball honcho, Kenny Williams, said he was shocked.  If he’s shocked he just hasn’t been paying attention for the last decade.  Rick Hahn seemed to think that the fact the Sox were in the running for so long in the pursuit of Machado was progress. Just stop it, Rick.  You’re embarrassing yourself.  Do you want a participation ribbon?  Is that what you’re selling Sox fans?   So Sox fans, who strikes out more, the Sox players or front office.

When it comes to top free agents, Chicago is the Second City

Hahn also praised Sox owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, for his willingness to pursue Machado.  Jerry has proven once again that he will do whatever it takes to finish second in the pursuit of high ticket free agents.   As one of my tweeter followers pointed out, the Sox will be in on him again in 10 years. In the meantime, maybe they can sign one of the Alomar brothers.  Or maybe, failing that, they can give Manny Ramirez another shot.

Friends and family are nice, but cash talks

The Sox tried to influence Machado’s decision by signing some of his friends and family.  Meanwhile, the Padres guaranteed more cash.  Shockingly, Machado went for the guaranteed cash.  Also, the Sox are probably at a point to where just having an offer that is in the ballpark with offers isn’t good enough.  The White Sox aren’t a premier destination for top free agents.  Why would they be?  A few years ago the Nationals overpaid for Jason Werth for that same reason.  

Losing games and credibility

I thought Hahn started out strong as the as the White Sox gm, but he lost credibility when he said service time wouldn’t play a role in White Sox September callups and then Eloy Jimenez didn’t get a callup because of his defense.  We all know the game, and I get not calling Jimenez up, but don’t bother saying something as patently false as that.  Today's reaction was more of the same.

White Sox need to buy a vowel

In all honesty, I don’t really mind the Sox missing out on Machado.  What I do object to is the Sox being seemingly clueless about how to proceed.  The White Sox have enough prospects to develop. They need to supplement it with more established talent.  The Sox could really use some outfield help at the movement.  AJ Pollock and Michael Brantley would have been great additions.  It would be nice if the Sox would add a starting pitcher.  Gio Gonzalez would be nice.