It continues to be very, very quiet out there. This is the 2nd off season in a row where teams have been exercising a lot of restraint when it comes to signing free agents – and especially for long term deals. Some have said that the Sonny Gray trade is actually holding up many other team moves. There also seems to be an ego contest between the agents for Harper and Machado to see who goes first.
The bottom line is that SU is having anxiety over the Yankees continuing to consider the Machado signing. SU considered declaring a national emergency and thereby forcing the Yankees not to sign Machado but I couldn’t get network air time to make my case so won’t be doing so. But I actually would be ok with Bryce Harper as he is left-handed and with Gardner on his last legs and Hicks potentially leaving next year as a free agent, well if you are committed to over spending, put the money there. It feels like the Yankees are intent on spending the money – they can’t be stopped. Signing Harper allows them to keep Andujar. Signing Machado will see Andujar leave town and that would be a major mistake. To me, it’s a no-brainer to sign Didi long-term, keep Andujar and have a young infield intact and in place for years to come.
Zach Britten – $39 million for 3 years? It’s a gamble as you have to hope he can regain his old form but there is an opt out after 2 years. It’s not a given for relievers who other than Mariano, tend to be up and down. But with Robertson gone, it made sense and it gives them insurance when Chapman’s knee gives way in August.
Clemson is by far the #1 team – impressive win last night. Fans who want an 8-team playoff should take note that ticket prices fell for the game last night and SU is not even sure they sold out. Very few shots of the upper tier in the stands last night. The reality is that fans can’t afford to travel 3 weeks in a row for these games and SF is not a hotbed for college football. Full disclosure: I only watched a few minutes of the game. Clemson vs. Alabama year after year, while pitting the 2 best teams against one another, is not that compelling.
SU has moved on to college hoops and is enjoying Michigan’s season. If you are just below the top 5 high school players level (who will always go to Duke or Kentucky), how can you not want to play for John Beilein? His players get better each year and he has a good track record of getting them drafted for the NBA. He is not a screamer and every game is on TV. Plus they play the game the right way. Michigan may become known as a basketball school now.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
NO COLLUSION!
I don’t want Machado or Harper but your case for Harper over Machado is a good one. Still, they both want too much money over too many years. And neither of them will provide the veteran leadership we’re looking for. Machado seems to be an 80% effort kind of guy and Harper is a bit of a clown. Torres and Sanchez have both demonstrated tendencies in these directions. They do not need a hundred-millionaire on the team setting these type of examples.
I wasn’t blown away by Britton last season but I don’t mind spending money here. We know that Chapman and/or Betances can blow up physically or mentally at any time. Another proven closer is a worthwhile investment.
There is always a temptation to want the big shiny object to add to your collection. But if you already have pieces in place that have proven that they can perform here in NY, why look elsewhere?
Totally agree with SU’s Yankee analysis. No Machado and if you have to do the big deal, Harper is the better play for all the reasons you say. I like the Britton deal. 2 years is good and he looked like he was rounding into form at the end of year. Two elite lefties with Chapman, two elite righties with Betances and Green (although they need to have their good years at the same time, not like last two years where they ham and egged it). If they add Attavino, then best bullpen by far in the majors. Leave infield alone and let’s see what we have with the two rookies, first base platoon maybe, and Tulowitzki trying to stay on field until Didi is back. Wouldn’t mind another starter but doubtful if Gray still around. All falls apart if we have an early injury or two but that’s baseball.
Two close friends or relatives of Machado (Alonso and Jay) have now signed with the White Sox- let’s just hope this approach works!
Yes, I have been following their strategy there. Once they sign his mother, I think that will be a telltale sign that he is going there.