Well, remember that you don't have to accomplish the goals
As for buying out arb years, it's a tough business. I've seen a couple of my players ask for ridiculous deals, and some guys who gave me their offer and I pretty much accepted it right off the bat. Generally if you want to buy out the years for cheap it needs to be done before they establish themselves, but sometimes you can get lucky. It can burn you, but it can save a franchise to get a cornerstone locked up early.