Control the Controllables
Ten years, eight years, seven years, 300 million, 260 million, 175 million, opt outs, swell opts, and more have been several terms smothering and overwhelming fans, as contract talks with the “premium” free agents inch closer toward February.
It is interesting how neither Bryce Harper or Manny Machado have signed a deal yet, and part of that is the system of free agency right now, but in reality, no one except the camps of these two stars and the franchises who have met with them will be able to give a definite reason of the hold-up.
From a fan’s perspective, it is time to focus on what we can control. We can’t control where Machado or Harper signs, or how much or little the White Sox offer them. But, I am sick of the narrative from several Sox fans that not signing a “premium” free agent would leave a “bad taste” or they would “not be able to move on” or “forgive” the organization. Just stop it. Being a White Sox fan isn’t always easy, but not only is it ignorant to hold a grudge against the front office if they fail to sign a big name, it is disrespectful to the players who will be playing for your Chicago White Sox. Control what you can control: be a fan and trust the process. Eventually, the process will reap major benefits, with or without Machado or Harper.
Additionally, the whole notion that Jerry Reinsdorf “won’t spend” is a joke. Jerry wants to win, and he wants to win badly. Again, no one will ever truly know what the White Sox have offered to these premium free agents unless one actually does sign with the good guys. After listening to Rick Hahn’s press conference at Sox Fest, he stated he would be “disappointed” if the Sox are unable to land one of the league’s marquee free agents, and at this point, he’s most likely referencing Machado. To me, this doesn’t seem like they have “low balled” Machado. It sounds like they have done everything in their power to entice the star infielder to pick Chicago as his home for the foreseeable future.
As fans, we need to realize there are 30 teams in MLB, and every one of them would love to have a player of the caliber of Harper and Machado. The White Sox received a seat at the table for both of these guys. That’s how far this franchise has come. They are competing against teams that annually have more money to spend and those who are thought of as the “great” franchises in baseball. The White Sox are close. If Machado or Harper didn’t want to play in Chicago, they would’ve never visited with the franchise’s top guns. It’s time to stop that narrative. The White Sox are an attractive destination, due to what the franchise has done ever since they began the rebuild.
It’s almost like the hysteria of Machado and Harper has consumed the thoughts of Sox fans so much, that if the Sox lose the battle in signing one or both of these guys, that there won’t be a season ahead. In one of my previous posts, I noted the genuinely great additions the Sox have already made, in addition to several promising youngsters who will continue to improve and take that next step in 2019. The White Sox already have had one of the top off-seasons in baseball. Signing Machado or Harper would just make it one of the best off-seasons in the history of MLB free agency.
So, in what may seem like a rant at this point, Sox fans need to take a step back and control the controllables. Be a fan, trust the process and plan in place, and get behind this talented young roster. Rick Hahn and this franchise have done and are continuing to do whatever they can, without the risk of harming this organization in the long-term, to sign a premier free agent. Hahn is a competitor, and Reinsdorf obviously has given him the green light to negotiate with Machado.
It’s time to get off their back. If they lose out, yes it will be disappointing, but it does not set the franchise back, and it is laughable to deem it “unacceptable” to miss out. Unlike during the late Guillen and Ventura years, the future is not dependent on one guy. If that was the case, then we’d really need to worry.
Featured Image: Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports
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