At times, it seems as if the only way to score that major free-agent signing is to pay way more than the player’s estimated value.
This is an obvious consequence of the nature of the open market. Teams bid against each other and the price rises as a consequence. It is not surprising that this happens, but it sometimes leads to players who are paid an awful lot more than they’re worth.
Even though there are still plenty of free agents left on the market this winter, we can already see this phenomenon taking place. Following, are five players who must feel pretty good about the way their offseason negotiations went for them. I would have never thought that deals like this would be coming their way.