Nowadays, "always about the money" really equates to "actually, about the years". Star players in their primes want security, and who could blame them? So if the Sox want to stay competitive by paying their best player or signing the best free agent, they'll have to commit big bucks for a decade. Otherwise, be prepared for more goodbyes to guys like Devers, and to see pinstripes and Dodger blue on all future Lindors and Sotos.
My worry is the past repeating itself, and instead of locking up true stars -- or waiting patiently for the right guy to become available, like NY and LA just did -- Boston will throw gauze all over gushers, and blow money on shorter term Pandas and Hanleys...