GLENDALE, Ariz. _ It all started at the general managers meetings in Carlsbad, Calif. in early November.
MLB Network reporter Jon Paul Morosi tweeted that a source informed him of the White Sox's interest in "both Manny Machado and Bryce Harper."
Both?
The chances of the Sox signing either one seemed remote. The idea of the Sox signing both seemed ludicrous.
But Morosi came back a couple days later and repeated the rumor in a column, adding "sources also said the White Sox will pursue top free-agent starting pitchers, such as Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ."
Obviously the Sox didn't get Harper or Machado, much less Corbin or Happ. Their "big-name" free agent signees were Jon Jay, Kelvin Herrera and Ervin Santana, who agreed to a minor-league deal last week.
It makes sense Sox fans would be disappointed after hearing about the team's interest in investing in a premier free-agent from November into late February.
The Sox never shied away from the rumor mill when it fed into their narrative they were willing to spend big to bring a franchise-caliber player to the South Side. It kept them in the news all offseason, which theoretically should've helped them sell tickets.
So it's a little disingenuous for the organization to complain about Sox fans' complaints, as executive vice-president Ken Williams did Thursday during an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.
Williams told the paper it would be "a shame if it's being portrayed that we were on the cheap with this thing." He suggested Sox fans "would have been much more disappointed in our inability to keep this next core together," adding they would have "overextended ourselves had we gone to an uncomfortable level."
This is exactly what Sox fans didn't want to hear. Everyone speculated it was going to take $300 million or more to get Machado, and that Harper would demand even more. While a $250 million guaranteed offer from the Sox was a huge amount of money for Machado, it was $50 million less than the package he received from the Padres. Who would say no to an extra $50 million?
And while Williams said "I really dig" Harper, the Sox didn't bother to take the money they originally offered Machado and put it towards another package for Harper.
Anyone can sit down and have a meeting with a superstar free agent. But in the end, the Sox's "pursuit" of Harper appeared to be just for show.
So let's review: A reporter who works for an MLB affiliate had a source telling him the Sox were interested in signing two free agents who ultimately wound up getting a combined $630 million. The Sox wound up heavily pursuing one of them but made an offer well under what he wanted, and didn't bother getting into a bidding war for the other.
They wound up signing four free agents (including back-up catcher James McCann) who will cost them a combined $33.8 million, assuming Santana makes the team.
You can debate whether signing Machado or Harper would've been wise at this point of the rebuild. Personally I think they're better off in the long run without the risk that's inherent with a 10-or 13-year commitment.
But if you're more than willing to be associated with non-stop speculation of being a big-time player in free agency, you should be able to understand the criticism from fans if you don't seal the deal.
Don't feel sorry for Williams. He won't be faulted by Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf for failing to sign Machado. In fact he'll probably be lauded by Reinsdorf for coming to his defense.
General manager Rick Hahn declined a request to comment on Williams' comments.
Can't say I blame him.
Sometimes it's best to say nothing at all.
