They would have had competition, but at $25 million per yr? He's 30 and they had him controlled through 2011. He'd turn 32 prior to signing his FA contract and he is an absolute bear on the defensive side of the ball.
Tex is a switch hitter, was 2 yrs younger at the time of his contract and is an elite defender. And he got $23 mil per yr from the richest team in sports. Do they really think that, had the other teams gotten another chance, they'd surpass that number?