A) There is an opt out that Harper/Machado could get if the team does not make leaps like they could. They are in many respects similar to teams like the Astros and Cubs
B) They went after Belle, they went after Abreu. They offered top dollar to A-Rod. It happens. Who is to say that it still won't? This is a team in a different position than they have been in the past 15 years.
I mean look i'm not trying to shit on your team man but you're talking about Albert Belle from 20 years ago, Arod who they didn't sign and Abreu who was an unproven IFA who this year is only making $13 mil. Comparing that to signing the literal preeminent FA on the market to me is just a stretch. I honestly don't care if they tried to sign Arod if you don't get it done what does it matter and again even using that example was what 2001?
The simple fact of the matter is that in 15 years 15! they haven't even attempted to sign a player even close to stature as Harper/Machado. Rationalize that however you like but until it happens you should be very skeptical. The FA game is hard enough when you know a team will spend money. I mean hell the cards and nats thought they had a shot at Heyward and still missed out. So, even if the money is there its far from any kind of guarantee they have a shot.
Since 2000 the sox have never had an opening payroll over $128 mil. If the $30 mil AAV is to be believed on Harper, that's literally 1/4th of their budget. If that's the case it's honestly a terrible signing for them to begin with. Putting that much of your payroll into one player is never a good idea(see Arod in texas and Cano in seattle). The simple fact of the matter is there's a vast difference between 1/4th of your payroll for the sox and ~1/7th of your payroll for teams at or over the luxury tax. Simply stated, it takes roughly $60-70 mil to field a 25 man roster as that's roughly what Oakland/TB spend. If the sox are a $130 mil team, that means you have roughly $30-40 mil you can spend around Harper. $30-40 mil doesn't turn a 62 win team with the 5 or so win harper into a playoff contender.
If you want the sox to be good and given you're a sox fan I assume that's the case you shouldn't want harper because he is never going to be a surplus value on the contract he gets and mid market teams have to win on contracts they sign. High market teams can afford to over pay on a sure thing. A team like the sox can take $30 mil and spend it way more wise if they know what they are doing. I mean look at what bill beane can do with $30 mil
