Just as an illustration for jibe's question, I had a player with 98 patience go free agent on me. At age 34 last season, he was in the MVP voting. He wanted a four year 4.5 mil deal, and I didn't really want him signed till age 38, so I waited till after rollover to see if his demands changed. He became a Type A, "sorry I'm filing for free agency no matter what." No one bit and he didn't sign till after the season started, 2.1 for one season.
No great loss as far as I'm concerned, but what do you think changed for this player? Age status? Type A? Or trying to get away from my pitchers' park?