Frequently Asked Questions
How much money did the White Sox offer Manny Machado?
The White Sox offered Machado a quarter of a billion dollars with an average annual value of $31 million and change. Kenny Williams stated their yearly offer was actually more than what San Diego offered, but it was about the guaranteed years that made the difference.
Why didn't Bryce Harper sign with the Chicago White Sox?
Harper was "well out of the White Sox range" financially according to Kenny Williams. Harper ultimately signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies with no opt-out clause because he wanted to stay with one team and build a brand.
What did Kenny Williams say about the White Sox being perceived as cheap?
Williams said "it's a shame if we're perceived as cheap" and argued that offering a quarter of a billion dollars shouldn't be considered cheap. He defended the team's efforts and said they extended themselves as far as they could without jeopardizing future plans.
Who did the White Sox sign instead of Harper and Machado?
The White Sox signed Jon Jay, Yonder Alonso, and Ivan Nova instead of the superstars. The article notes that Jay and Alonso actually told Machado how nice it was to play in San Diego, which worked against the White Sox.
What did Bryce Harper's agent say about why Harper chose Philadelphia?
Scott Boras said Harper "wanted to go to one city, stay there, build a brand and identity and recruit players" and that Harper wants to tell other players to "come play with me" because staying with one team helps with winning.