The first domino of the frozen free agent class of 2018 has fallen, and the White Sox, one of the reported finalists, are left on the outside looking in.  Manny Machado, the 26 year old superstar who, along with fellow free agent Bryce Harper, was the cream of this class, decided to hitch his wagon to the Padres, signing a 10 year, $300 million contract, with an opt out after the fifth year.  Reports say that the White Sox final offer was $250 million over eight years, with incentives and options that could have driven the value to $350 million.

Senior Vice President Kenny Williams, trying to defend the fiasco, said that the contract total of $300 million “wasn’t feasible to us because we still have to project putting together a total winning roster and keeping the young players that will ultimately earn into greater dollars themselves.”  Which is, of course, ridiculous.  The team projects to have an $80 million payroll this year, low enough to be the 25th-highest total in the majors.  The contract could have easily been front-loaded to pay Machado now, while they have no other major expenditures, while offering relief in the later years when today’s prospects may looking for their own payday.

With Machado off the board, and the White Sox not reportedly still in contention for Harper, 2019 may be another tough year, despite the additions of Machado pals Yonder Alonso and John Jay and the expected arrival of Eloy Jimenez sometime in April.