1
...it makes perfect sense. The more players you can find out there that contribute about as much as you do, the less urgency there is in signing you. Essentially, the entire market is realizing that thr Honda Civics model doesn't work and has stopped offering middle-tier players long term contracts. Look at what has gone on with guys like Burrell, Abreu, Feliz, Branyan, Wilson, etc. Even the pitchers who can't be absolutely counted on for 180+ innings of solid work or 40 saves are starting to get chiseled so that teams cna afford to make strong plays for the superstars.
Philosophically, I am in favor of small-business-centered economics and increased competition, which the highly-stratified baseball player market directly opposes.