(09-05-2020, 09:35 AM)flgatorsandjags Wrote: Everyone knows it was all about the money is what started it.  Then when he found out he overvalued himself his pride kicked in and he didnt want to back down and admit he made a mistake.  So now he has lost about 25 mil over the last 2 years and if he has a down year im gonna lmao because he screwed himself.  If the rumor was right that we offered him 19 mil a year with 50+ over the first 2 years was more than a fair offer.

Wasnt the rumor also that our offer was short in years?  And that he was holding out for a longer contract with more guarantee?  Even if our offer was 4-5 years, he is young enough that he would have been one of those rare players that would have set themselves up for a second big contract.  Now since he wont get that first big contract until two seasons later, he needs to make sure he scores real big because he may not get a second.  He'll be 26 in the spring of next year.  If he signs a 5+ year deal after next season, that is probably it.  Unless he is one of those rare guys that keeps up his productivity and speed, I cant imagine anyone paying him big money once he is 31.  But had he signed our initial offer and would have been eligible for his second big deal at the age of 28 or so, that would have been a different story.

As has been said many times on here, this whole thing really was unfortunate for all parties involved.  Everyone now appears worse off.

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