Henry could have pulled the checkbook back at any time. I don't know why he allowed the Eovaldi and Sale extensions last year if he was going to be worried about lux tax a few months later...
I agree that Mookie is one of those very few guys that is deserving of an uncomfortable contract. I believe he'll age well and that his contract will be fine the first 9 years or so.
@ByChrisMason
"I’m glad everyone enjoyed it. My daughter loved it. When I walked in and saw her, she says to me, ‘Daddy, we’re not going anywhere!’" - Tom Brady
To me, the size of Henry's wallet is what creates flexibility for option 2.
DD definitely put them into a corner if the Sox care about payroll flexibility. Sox ownership didn't seem concerned about that flexibility until after DD was let go. Maybe they've learned their lesson? Maybe this payroll flexibility is just a new phase until they start blowing out the lux tax again? Hard to say.