||| SOX DARE TO DREAM
Machado trade talk trickles down to Sox, but the star would come at a steep price
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — When a Winter Meetings winds down in relative calm, a Manny Machado buzz will reverberate, even if the odds don’t seem great of the Orioles star infielder changing teams before Christmas.
And there was no escaping a tie to the White Sox, who continue to be connected, however loosely, to a player who figures to command a minimum of $ 300 million when he becomes a free agent after the 2018 season.
For many in Sox nation, Machado, 25, is that dream addition to the left side of the infield who would arrive just as the rebuild crystallizes.
“Dare to dream,’’ Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Wednesday, speaking not specifically about Machado but to a general question about whether it’s conceivable to add a long- term piece with limited years of contract control.
“Is it conceivable? Yes,” Hahn said. “We like good players who fit into the long term, yeah.’’
Here’s why Machado is a long shot for the Sox: He probably would cost them two controllable starting pitchers, according to what the Orioles are said to be seeking. The Sox would have him for one season before he reaches free agency. And if they want to corral Machado with a contract extension, the cost would be well beyond anything they have spent on one player.
“Sometimes you need to be creative,’’ Hahn said. “Sometimes you need to perhaps take a risk.’’
Perhaps the Sox trade for Machado, and he falls in love with them. Dream on? “It’s probably slightly easier after a player has been part of this organization, understands what we’re about, to extend him as opposed to meeting him cold as a free agent and trying to sell him on the organization,’’ Hahn said.
Would the Sox part with their young pitching? As of now, they figure to have almost nothing in contract obligations on the books beyond Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia in 2019. But it’s still a dreamy proposition for the Sox, even though they are one of at least five teams to have discussed Machado with the Orioles. The Yankees are also on the list.
So many things would have to fall right, and it would be an aggressive gamble for the Sox. Who knows how aggressive they are willing to be at a time when it might not be necessary.
“We certainly have had some interesting ideas presented, both inside our room, guys coming up with ideas, as well as some phone calls and some meetings with other clubs suggesting various things that might advance this [ rebuilding] process forward for us,’’ Hahn said. “At this time, again, we are primarily in listening mode, and if something makes sense, we’ll certainly move quickly to close something off.”
NOTES: GM Rick Hahn said he expects to lose a player or two in the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning and also expects to select one, possibly two. The Sox need bullpen help. Infielder Jake Peter, left- hander Jordan Guerrero and right- hander Connor Walsh have been identified as potential players not protected on the 40- man roster the Sox could lose. The Sox 40- man is at 36.
Hahn said the market for players the Sox might sign — they need to add pitching depth to the rota- tion and bullpen — likely will come together after the holidays. The Sox laid groundwork this week for targeted second- or third- tier pitchers on the market. A Miguel Gonzalez return seems a possibility.
Agent Scott Boras said lefthander Carlos Rodon, who had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in late September and was ruled out six to eight months, is “doing great.”
“From the doctors, we haven’t heard anything other than the normal course of his rehab going forward,” he said. “[ The Sox] see him as top of the rotation starter, yes.”
Six months would be Opening Day, and Rodon’s timetable depends on his spring.
“Everything is progressing according to schedule,” Hahn said.
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