White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is doing the right thing in avoiding a bidding war for superstar free agent with the start of Spring Training coming up.
The White Sox have done all they could to improve this team over the offseason. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has signed off on many trades and signings along with the pursuit of superstar free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.
As both Harper and Machado remain unsigned, it doesn’t appear Reinsdorf is ready or even willing to get into a bidding war for either player. Entering this offseason, many believed each player could very well sign a contract worth more than $300 million.
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However, as the offseason continues to roll along, it doesn’t appear any team will offer that deal with the exception of the Washington Nationals who reportedly offered a contract of more than $300 million to Harper. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), Reinsdorf prefers to chase the current market, not set it.
Neither Harper or Machado are getting offers near where their respective agents thought they would get. Now it appears a blinking game is taking place according to Rosenthal between Harper’s agent in Scott Boras and Machado’s agent, Dan Lozano. Rosenthal wrote that neither player wants to sign first as they understand the other player would likely benefit with the sole attention of potential suitors.
Reinsdorf is being wise by allowing the market to dictate the worth of Harper and Machado. While the Sox have reportedly already offered Machado a contract, the front office hasn’t panicked and increased their offer although the free agent remains unsigned. Although many Sox fans have become impatient with Machado not being signed, they should understand that Reinsdorf is avoiding offering a higher contract than he should.
On Saturday, it was reported that the New York Yankees had offered Machado a contract of seven to eight years at $220 million. If this is accurate, this would still put the Sox ahead with their reported contract offer of eight years at $250 million. The Sox could very well have the highest offer for Machado at the moment.
If the Sox have the highest offer available, why should Reinsdorf even entertain the thought of getting into a bidding war for Machado? There’s no good reason why the Sox should bid against themselves to sign Machado because his agent feels he should have a $300 million contract. If Machado doesn’t receive a contract offer higher then the Sox current offer, he could very well be in a Sox uniform on Opening Day.