[rstoomeyii]

I know some guys with high greed level will just drag negotiations on forever, but in this situation it went too far.

I'm in the offseason before the 2021 season. Taijuan Walker just told me that 200mil over 7 years wasnt enough (signed for 5 mil more over 7 years with the yanks UGH). This happened in the middle to end of January. I need a plan B. I like how Jacob deGrom looks so i start negotiations with him. And so the cycle begins. Submit offer. Favors offer. Wants more money. I do this up until spring training. I give my offer a big boost hoping i can get him signed in time for camp. Submit offer. Favors offer. Wants more money. I continue the process all the way through spring training. April 1st he tells me he wants more money. At this point i just say F it, I'm offering him 80mil over 4 years which is already a gross overpayment, i need an arm, i go and find a guy who will sign a 1 yr 2mil deal almost immediately.

I have no problem with players waiting to drive the price up. But I just dont see them missing all of spring training to do that. Its not like he was that old. 32 years old, not like the 40+ Clemens only wanting to pitch from June on. Opening day has arrived and he STILL isnt signed. meanwhile on the offseason page his rumored demand is a 1yr 5mil deal. But he just told me 80/4 isnt good enough. I wish there was a way for FAs to be cognizant of the time of year. unless youre the 40 year old clemens you should be trying to be in spring training