[DeSaxMan13]

I think the main problem with the OOTP model for this is the multi-year aspect as previously discussed.

If MLB teams were constrained to a set budget, it is likely that no one could have paid ARod what he wanted in the offseason. Let's say that no one would pay him $27 million per year because their budgets did not have that much room, and they can't go over budget. It gets to midseason, and he's so desperate to play, he takes a half-season contract for $8 million to play 3 months. That I could see. But I couldn't see him taking a 10-year deal at $8 million per. Maybe he goes into next offseason asking for $20 million instead of $27 because he overestimated the available budget room for teams, but he doesn't drop his long term demands by 70%.

But since in OOTP we have strict budgets, it can't mimic real life where a team like the Yankees can say "Hey, we really only wanted to spend another $10 million, but it's ARod. We'll give him the $27." So, it would be nice if OOTP gave the FAs some sense to say take a one year deal at reduced money if you really want to play, but don't sign a long term deal for such a reduced offer.