As we might be seeing with Bogaerts and Eovaldi, some players ask for the moon to avoid free agency when this close. Get them early and there are more risks, you can get a good deal. But waiting too long turns free agency a viable backup plan into an effective bargaining chip.
Like when JD Martinez was in AZ. In half a year there, he became an absolute legend. When extension talks came, his agent asked for $200 mill. AZ walked. Boras than showed the rest of ownship his huge treatise about why the King King of Slug was worth $200mill. And no one bought it. JD had to “settle” for a paltry 5 year $125mill.
Will we see the same scenario with Bogaerts and Eovaldi? And then will fans think whatever they get was the demand all along?