acquisition of Nova"Update Giancarlo Stanton Jersey , 9:43 p.m.Because, why shouldn’t the White Sox be linked to every major free agent of significance?Update, 9:17 p.m.Not exactly transactional, but noteworthy:Update, 6:38 p.m.I find the White Sox being linked to Michael Brantley rather curious, but, here it is:The Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and White Sox seem to be the leaders in the Brantley race, per Twitter.Update, 6:28 p.m.Now, I wouldn’t take much of Jim Bowden’s output to heart, but MLBTR picked up a tweet that said the Colorado Rockies were on the prowl for first basemen. Among the candidates they’re kicking the tires on:Cleveland’s Edwin EncarnacionOur very own AbreuSan Diego’s Wil MyersSeattle’s Carlos SantanaOf course, this was his tweet ... who is this etc guy? OK, sorry, “possibly including,” lord, dumb update. My bad.This is how desperate we are for White Sox news.Update, 6:12 p.m.I sort of blew off updating this today, but the Toronto Blue Jays made the bold choice to release Troy Tulowitzki and eat the $38 million remaining on his contract. Given that Tulowitzki is purportedly in great health and ready to play in 2019, it’s a curious move. With Toronto paring payroll, are the White Sox a good fit to grab Russell Martin on the cheap? He’s owed $20 million, of which the Blue Jays would presumably eat at least half. Martin basically gives you Welington Castillo production, with framing skills that still seem to make Baseball Prospectus grow weak in the knees.Of course, if the White Sox can strike for Yasmani Grandal, cool. But Martin could be an intriguing one-year rental, now that Rick Hahn has made it clear the White Sox aren’t counting on Seby Zavala or Zack Collins any time before 2020.Update, 3:37 p.m.And on the Machado side of the ledger ...Update, 2:49 p.m.Cutch deal, three years/$50 million to Philadelphia, is now official.Also getting a little heat building out there about the White Sox’s interest in Yasmani Grandal. Grandal, Harper/Machado, Eloy, a few other tweaks, the White Sox are contending in a weak ALC. Who says no?Update, 1:26 p.m.The pieces continue to fall into place for the White Sox and Bryce Harper, as Jim Salisbury, one of the few remaining Comcast beat writers, is now reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies are looking to add Andrew McCutchen:Ken Rosenthal, et. al, are reporting that adding Cutch will not prevent the Phillies from signing Harper, but, c’mon.Update, 12:47 p.m.Hey, the White Sox made a trade! Ivan Nova is now our No. 3 starter. Not sure it’s gonna reel in Bryce Harper, but it can’t hurt, either.The White Sox take on $9 million in salary in the deal, leaving them with plenty of room to add Harper and, what the hell, Manny Machado.With the Yankees and Nationals peeling off of Bryce Harper, is it down to the White Sox and Phillies?Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty ImagesDay 2, same drill Derek Jeter Jersey , please post news nuggets as they come. I’ll be updating all day with whatever little tidbits pop up, so hit refresh once in a while, as well.Of course, if today is as quiet as Monday, well, we’ll just resort to debating the Harold Baines HOF election some more, or licking our chops in anticipation of the Rule 5 draft on Thursday.What seemed at first improbable — the Chicago White Sox snagging either Manny Machado or Bryce Harper this offseason — is looking slightly less impossible, as the meetings wear on. A few factors brightening our South Side corners these days:Washington Nationals management made its 10-year, $300 million offer to Harper, and says that’s as high as they can go.New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman, when not trying to toss Sonny Gray in a dumpster, pretty much said there’s no way Harper is coming to New York.The Los Angeles Dodgers are said to still be players, but as pointed out last week, L.A. has like 8,000 outfielders and a payroll, while theoretically limitless, currently unable to add a $30-40 million per year player.Teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, thought to be sort-of suitors, are begging out.Purportedly a “mystery team” flew in to see Harper. With Scott Boras calling the plays, that team could be the Yomiuri Giants, for all we know.Teams easing off of Harper means the Machado sweepstakes may end up hotter, and too hot for the White Sox to handle. But, then ...Ken Williams emerges from his Las Vegas suite to give a halftime football speech about how the time for the White Sox to be aggressive is now, with a distinct nod to the uniqueness (read: guys like Harper and Machado are available, long-term and at the perfect ages) of this offseason.So it seems the lead suitors for Harper, at least, are the White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. A 50/50 shot at signing Bryce Harper — and, dude, Chicago is not Philadelphia, so I’m sorry, I’m thumbing the scale to break the White Sox north of 50% on this — is unbelievable.Arguably, the White Sox are now the team to beat in the Bryce Harper sweepstakes.Coming out of a day of no news and general Hot Stove malaise? That’s not a bad outcome at all. No. 25: RHP Carson Fulmer, Chicago White SoxA first-round pick in 2015, right-hander Carson Fulmer teased ace-level potential. In 67.1 innings over three seasons with the White Sox, he's posted a 6.68 ERA and 5.9 walks per nine innings.He turned 25 in December, meaning this could be a make-or-break season. His best path might be as a reliever, but even in that lane he'll have to prove himself. No. 24: RHP Francis Martes, Houston AstrosA highly touted international signee by the Miami Marlins in 2012, Francis Martes rose through the ranks after a trade to the Houston Astros and was MLB.com's No. 20 prospect prior to the 2017 season.He debuted that year but posted a 5.80 ERA in 54.1 innings and underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2018. A comeback is possible, but the climb will be steep. No. 23: LHP Sean Newcomb, Atlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves system is stacked with high-ceiling arms. Sean Newcomb was among the first to arrive with a 4.32 ERA in 100 innings in 2017. He followed that with a 3.90 ERA in 2018 and carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a July 29 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.That said, the 25-year-old's ERA ballooned to 4.58 after the All-Star break, while his walks per nine innings finished at a so-so 4.4. No. 22: 1B Dominic Smith, New York MetsThe 11th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Dominic Smith played 105 games for the New York Mets in 2017 and 2018. He slashed .210/.259/.406.We're in small-sample land, but there's a reason he's buried on the depth chart behind fading veterans such as Todd Frazier. No. 21: OF Austin Hays, Baltimore OriolesOn a rebuilding club desperate for warm, cost-controlled bodies, the 23-year-old Austin Hays has a path to playing time.The formerly fast-rising prospect has to earn it, however, after hitting .217 in a 20-game MLB audition in 2017, slashing .235/.266/.410 in 75 games in Low-A and Double-A in 2018 and undergoing ankle surgery in September.Nos. 20-16: Beede http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-giancarlo-stanton-jersey , Stephenson, Glasnow, Dahl, Giolito2 of 5Michael Ainsworth/Associated PressNo. 20: RHP Tyler Beede, San Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are in a transitional phase between their trio of even-year titles and an inevitable rebuild and could use a crop of homegrown pitchers to bridge the gap.But 2014 first-round pick Tyler Beede looks like a bottom-of-the-rotation option at best.He posted a 6.64 ERA in 80 minor league innings last season and coughed up seven earned runs in 7.2 big league innings. He'll have to battle for a spot in spring training. No. 19: RHP Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati RedsA first-round pick in 2011, Robert Stephenson debuted with the Cincinnati Reds in 2016 but has accumulated a 5.47 ERA with 5.7 walks per nine innings over 133.1 big league frames.Now, he's dealing with inflammation in the right shoulder that hindered him last season, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, suggesting he could go from presumed star to outright bust. No. 18: RHP Tyler Glasnow, Tampa Bay RaysThe Pittsburgh Pirates sent Tyler Glasnow to the Tampa Bay Rays last season in the Chris Archer trade. He changed uniforms, but his output remained largely mediocre.In 11 starts with the Rays, Glasnow posted a 4.20 ERA. The once-heralded hurler owns a 5.35 ERA in 197 MLB frames.The small-market Rays will exercise patience with the hard-throwing 6'8" right-hander...but only so much. No. 17: OF David Dahl, Colorado RockiesThe key for David Dahl is health. When he's on the field, he flashes the tools of an All-Star.But since his MLB debut in 2016, the outfielder has never played more than 77 games because of a litany of injuries.Perhaps he can put it together and deliver on his promise. But we've yet to see that. No. 16: RHP Lucas Giolito, Chicago White SoxLucas Giolito graduated to the big leagues for real in 2018, making 32 starts.Now, the bad news: The 2012 first-round pick surrendered an American League-high 90 walks and MLB-leading 118 earned runs en route to a 6.13 ERA.Needless to say, his command and stat line must improve.Nos. 15-11: Rosario, Crawford, Weaver, Kingery, Brinson3 of 5Rich Schultz/Getty ImagesNo. 15: SS Amed Rosario, New York MetsOnce a top international signee and the Mets' top prospect, Amed Rosario owns a .255/.290/.384 slash line in 200 MLB games. The promise of stardom has not materialized for the 23-year-old.He projects as the Mets' starting shortstop in 2019, meaning he'll get another crack at it. He said he was "very confident" heading into spring training, per Newsday's Tim Healey.Whether the Queens faithful agree is another matter. No. 14: SS J.P. Crawford, Seattle MarinersSpeaking of shortstops trying to prove themselves, J.P. Crawford slashed .214/.319/.393 in 49 games for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.The 2013 first-round pick was supposed to be ticketed for greatness in the City of Brotherly Love. He's getting a fresh start with the Seattle Mariners this season. No. 13: RHP Luke Weaver, Arizona DiamondbacksBeing the featured piece in a trade package for Paul Goldschmidt places hefty expectations on your back, shoulders and other parts.Just ask Luke Weaver, a 2014 first-rounder who owns a 4.79 ERA in 233 MLB innings (all with the St. Louis Cardinals) and who is now tasked with proving he was worth making Goldschmidt a former member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.Goldy's only the best first baseman in the game. No pressure, kid. No. 12: INF Scott Kingery, Philadelphia PhilliesScott Kingery flew out of the gate with the Phillies in 2018 but soon returned to earth and finished with a .226 average and .605 OPS.The Phils played the 24-year-old at shortstop, third base, every outfield position and second base and even let him pitch 1.1 innings.That may have hampered his development, and Philadelphia ought to recalibrate accordingly. No. 11: OF Lewis Brinson, Miami MarlinsLewis Brinson was a glitzy chip in the trade that sent Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins to the Milwaukee Brewers.Yelich won National League MVP honors in 2018. Brinson slashed .199/.240/.338 in 109 games.It's unfair to judge a prospect for what he does immediately after a game-changing deal. But it wasn't a good look for a youngster trying to prove he was worth the sacrifice. Editor鈥檚 note: This slide previously identified J.P. Crawford as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. This has been corrected.Nos. 10-6: Gallo, Mazara, Margot, Anderson, Urias4 of 5David Zalubowski/Associated PressNo. 10: OF/1B Joey Gallo, Texas RangersAh, Joey Gallo. How you confound.On the one hand, Gallo cracked 40 homers in 2018 one season after swatting 41 for the Texas Rangers. Why is he in this conversation?Well, because he posted an anemic .206 average and equally abysmal .312 on-base percentage last year. His power makes him a viable big league hitter, but his peripherals make the 25-year-old a one-dimensional masher whose visions of stardom are likely over. No. 9: OF Nomar Mazara, Texas RangersSpeaking of overhyped Rangers: Nomar Mazara posted a career-worst .317 on-base percentage and minus-4 defensive runs saved in the outfield last season.Yes, he hit 20 home runs. But it's time to acknowledge the 23-year-old can and should be better.Don't ask us. Ask Texas manager Chris Woodward, who said Mazara (ahem) "can be better," per the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant. No. 8: OF Manuel Margot Mariano Rivera Jersey , San Diego PadresManuel Margot rescued his value with nine defensive runs saved in center field last season, but he dropped the ball (metaphorically speaking) on offense.After finishing sixth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2017, the hyped San Diego Padres youngster's batting average dipped from .263 to .245, and his on-base percentage tumbled from .313 to .292.Not positive trajectories, to state the obvious. No. 7: SS Tim Anderson, Chicago White SoxA first-round pick in 2013, Tim Anderson is a key piece of the ChiSox's future. Or is he?The 25-year-old hit 20 homers and stole 26 bases in 2018 but posted an unacceptable .281 on-base percentage while playing barely average defense at shortstop.The White Sox will give him every opportunity to succeed, but if they sign Machado, Anderson could soon be an afterthought. No. 6: LHP Julio Urias, Los Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers kept their franchise southpaw when they signed Clayton Kershaw to a three-year, $93 million extension this offseason.Now, they're hoping another, unproven left-hander comes around.We're talking about Julio Urias, who has flashed mesmerizing potential since debuting in 2016 but is working his way back from a serious shoulder injury. Yes, he pitched in the 2018 World Series. He was also limited to four innings in the regular season.Nos. 5-1: Sano, Buxton, Swanson, Russell, Moncada5 of 5Jim Mone/Associated PressNo. 5: 3B Miguel Sano, Minnesota TwinsAfter making the AL All-Star team in 2017, Miguel Sano took a steep, steep tumble in 2018.The 25-year-old slugger posted a .199 average and .281 on-base percentage in 71 games while dealing with injuries. A heel ailment this spring doesn't bode well, as Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported, though Hayes added Sano is "as fit and flexible as he's been in quite a while."We'll see. No. 4: OF Byron Buxton, Minnesota TwinsWhile we're talking about Twins who went into free falls: What's up, Byron Buxton?The 25-year-old won a Gold Glove for his play in center field in 2017 and hit 16 home runs while stealing 29 bases.Last season, he slashed .156/.183/.200 in 28 major league games. What a vertigo-inducing about-face.Buxton has five-tool talent. Of all the players on this list, he's arguably the most likely to make us look bad for doubting him. But those 2018 numbers...ouch. No. 3: SS Dansby Swanson, Atlanta BravesThe first overall pick in 2015, Dansby Swanson debuted with the Braves in 2016 after a trade from the Diamondbacks.Since then, he's slashed .243/.314/.369 in 1,229 plate appearances. That's a decent sample size, and those are utility infielder numbers.Swanson should be the Braves' starting shortstop in 2019 as they defend their NL East title. But if he doesn't make a meaningful jump, he'll soon be relegated to the heap of No. 1 overall busts. No. 2: SS Addison Russell, Chicago CubsIn 2016, Addison Russell was an All-Star. Now, he has to prove himself.He displayed remorse for his actions when addressing his 40-game suspension under MLB's domestic-violence policy. That's on the personal side, and time will tell if he's reformed.On the baseball side, he posted a career-low .657 OPS last season and appears to be backpedaling from budding star to marginal middle infielder. No. 1: INF Yoan Moncada, Chicago White SoxIn 2018, Yoan Moncada led MLB in one ignoble category: strikeouts, with 217. Oh, wait, make that two ignoble categories, as he also paced all second basemen and ranked fourth overall with 21 errors.Moncada boasts five-tool potential, but he's trending in the wrong direction for the White Sox, who gave up ace Chris Sale to acquire him from the Boston Red Sox in December 2016."I think sometimes you talk and you create a bigger expectation, and that can create something that is not accurate," White Sox first baseman and fellow Cuban Jose Abreu said, per Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times.Truer words were never spoken. All statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs.