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Many thanks to all for the advice. Looks like through dumb luck my generous offer out of the box was the right move. [I was thinking "hey, it ain't MY money; but with a short thirty-day window, there is precious little time to mess around with negotiations...] I'll be patient as to a response. I don't think Leiter would have options other than independent leagues. I have a full compliment, and he would be welcome to chill until the 2022 draft with my Hilton Head Loggerheads in the Atlantic League. I can't understand the logic of that for his career; but I bitterly recall J.D. Drew turning down a generous offer from the the Phillies and saying there was no way he would play for them, supposedly a result of divine guidance. I found that tremendously offensive, as a Phillies fan and a Christian. [First, would God really bother with million-dollar baseball contracts rather than starvation, war, famine; second, why would she hate on the Phillies?!]. He wasted a year playing indy ball, and then went on to a mediocre career. For years he was lustily booed in Philly (usually reserved for the home team players). So I hope I don't end up with that situation. At this point I don't want to "bid against myself", but IRL I would like to meet with Leiter and his agent and emphasize how short his path to MLB could be, particularly if he signs and gets some time in the minors this year, maybe Florida instructional league, impressive Spring Training, who knows?
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