Handing out big contracts when players are still under salary arbitration is the theme now, likely because players can now get totals like 10 million in arbitration.  If a team can avoid paying their players that much, they should jump on the chance.  However, there are times when the contract clearly doesn't work out.  Hafner could be an example of that.  It's risky, but sometimes it works out really well and saves a club some money..

Making deals like this doesn't make sense. Look at what the Reds did with Arroyo. They had a great thing going paying him for way undermarket.  In terms of value, he was an exceptional player. As soon as they extended him and gave him a bigger salary, he became an average player.

I can't believe Texas is even talking about this so soon.  Especially since they've got him locked until he's 31.

 I don't agree with your point about him being a former drug addict.  That's in his past.