More White Sox Free-Agency Rumors That Will Make Your Heart Flutter

One could drown under the avalanche of information pouring out of Carlsbad, California and the White Sox interest in just about everything. Besides the White Sox professed interest in both Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, it appears they want Nelson Cruz, Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ as well.

Chasing Machado and Harper is a stretch, but one that I could dream on a bit and rationalize the payroll to a degree, even though I don't think Harper fits the White Sox roster. But chasing Cruz, Corbin and Happ as well smells a bit fishy.

Besides the sheer magnitude of the players rumored to be targeted for the White Sox, the fact that these rumors seem to be leaking so early gives me pause. Rick Hahn is far more calculated in his maneuvers than to allow information to hit the airwaves without context. Moreover, the White Sox are notoriously mum on all personnel decisions, plugging leaks out of the executive suite before they become public. So, yeah, the news that Hahn is pursuing five of the top names on the free-agent market this early sounds a little out of key to me. But don't get it twisted. If Hahn can pull off Machado, Harper and Cruz while snagging Corbin the White Sox win the offseason and we can start shredding paper for the confetti parade in 2021. We might even start planning multiple parades. I just don't know if the market will allow such a stupendous talent-grab. We also can't discount Jerry Reinsdorf's role in the signings either. Even though many of us believe Reinsdorf won't sign anyone for an eye-popping sum, that in and of itself is not true. ESPN's Bruce Levine correctly noted today that Reinsdorf isn't necessarily afraid to sign a big check, rather he doesn't overpay for talent.

Frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Do all those players make the White Sox better? Of course. Can the White Sox afford all of those players? It's not out of the question. Is Uncle Jerry willing to pay the price? We'll see.