After the disappointment that was Manny Machado agreeing to a deal with the Padres earlier this week White Sox fans were hoping the team would turn their attention to Bryce Harper. Unfortunately, that won’t be happening.
White Sox GM Rick Hahn was on 670 The Score Wednesday night and was asked about the team’s pursuit of Harper. Hahn left the door slightly open, but you could tell the chances of an aggressive offer were slim if any at all.
On with @LaurenceWHolmes, Rick Hahn explains White Sox 'weren't comfortable' offering $300 million to Manny Machado, stresses organization isn't opposed to opt-outs in contract offers and adds line of communication is still open to Bryce Harper's camphttps://t.co/GoVZqe0NG7 pic.twitter.com/6L2Ej52VNA
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) February 21, 2019
Well, that line of communication seems to be closed. There have been a few reports saying the White Sox are out on Harper and that includes the latest coming from 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine.
White Sox won't bid on Bryce Harper as his free agency continues, a source tells @MLBBruceLevine https://t.co/G5FunoiW8I pic.twitter.com/INPOoMALs6
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) February 21, 2019
Earlier in the week Bob Nightengale and Phil Rogers both said the White Sox would no longer go after Harper.
The Chicago #WhiteSox, who are out of the Bryce Harper sweepstakes, still plan to make some smaller improvements to team after Manny Machado chose the #Padres. Versatile infielders Marwin Gonzalez and Josh Harrison, along with starter Gio Gonzalez, still on the free-agent board.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 20, 2019
#WhiteSox making it clear they don't have a philosophy against opt-out clauses — a misunderstanding coming out of the Machado coverage. Not playing on Bryce Harper for other reasons — likely believe they'd only be running up cost for him to sign in Philly or elsewhere.
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) February 20, 2019
Hahn said the team will spend the money they didn’t use on Machado, so I guess everyone will just have to hope they eventually land a top tier free agent.
