I meant in salary, and length. He wasnt given a bonus so yes, you're right its not a max deal.  But still a lot of money to a "turd"

OK, so you know the difference between a max deal and that contract.   Good, we have a starting point.

You've asked me hundreds of questions pertaining to this game so this might be another learning experience for you.

I had him at 5/75 til late in FA.  More than I wanted to pay but that's what it took to get there.   Then I got trumped.   I assume whoever was bidding against me lost out on the guy he wanted.  I made a bid at 90m.  No dice.  95m, top bid.  Lost it.   By now, FA is almost over.   I need a CF, I have 6m in prospect and 1m in IFA scouting.   I'm looking at having 22m in unused payroll with nothing to spend it on.   So I offer the guy 5/100 with 500k bonus and a mutual option.   He signs on the last cycle.  

I'm in a win now mode and he'll cost me 85m for 4 seasons.    When the contract is up, I'll probably be rebuilding for a season or two. 

The bottom line is 17m in prospect(6 + 11 transfer) and 1m in IFA scouting was NOT going to get me anything of value.   So I could have wasted 20m on nothing or overpaid for a CF I desperately needed. 

Describing Washington as a turd is absurd. He's no HOFer but he's a good starting ML player at a key position. If you're going to overpay for someone, a good-D CF with wheels and his only weak batting category vL is a good candidate, especially with a high enough Health rating that his decline will be minimal. Is he worth 5*20 in a vacuum? No. Just like the FI I just paid $5M for isn't worth it in a vacuum. There was one good FI available, 3 mediocre FIs, and then crud. I overpaid because with a competitive team that relies on pitching and defense starting to age, crud at FI would have been a big hit for multiple seasons. We don't play in a vacuum. Taking a hit at a key position to save $5M on a contending team would be stupid. Think the Red Sox might want a do-over on their decision not to offer Lester another $1.5M-2M/season?

You're correct that it's a lot of money. You are incorrect that it went to a turd.

He is playing like a turd this year.   But, last year, he was 4th in RC27 with my full-time players. 

But, as you said, if I could have given him 3/18, I would have.   But I don't set the market.   Washington will provide value thru the contract.  I just had to pay more than one would hope to pay.

Kevintam90 is acting like Steve Washington blew MikeT23 for that contract. From my end, I was just curious why you paid him what you did because I would have expected a lesser salary. I guessed there was a reason behind it. And there was. And if I - ever - find myself in win mode, I'll be more comfortable making that decision to pay that money out for a player I need to win.

25	kevintam90	ML	62-100	.383	4th	No	No
26	kevintam90	ML	30-132	.185	4th	No	No
27	kevintam90	ML	68-94	.420	4th	No	No
28	kevintam90	ML	65-97	.401	4th	No	No
29	kevintam90	ML	87-75	.537	3rd	No	No
30	kevintam90	ML	87-75	.537	3rd	No	No
31	kevintam90	ML	91-71	.562	2nd	Yes	No	no	no	no
32	kevintam90	ML	91-71	.562	2nd	Yes	No	no	no	no
33	kevintam90	ML	119-43	.735	1st	No	Yes	yes	yes	yes

When you spend 4 seasons tanking and building a super team, you don't have to pay large contracts or make tough decisions like that.

If I had 20m in prospect and 10m in IFA scouting, I probably say "Screw him" at 5/90.   That was 2m more per year than I was prepared to give him.   But, as it was, it was dead money.    There was no "2nd option" at CF. 

I was curious as well. I just havent seen a contract like that yet to a player of that caliber. I understand why he would do it under those circumstances. 

only that season 26. when I had no clue what I was doing. I didnt know how significant having a competent defense was back then . hell I still have no clue what Im doing for the most part. 

At some point, you'll want to move out of the ghetto to the suburbs or maybe even a penthouse.    You'll find how much more difficult free agency is when 30 owners are paying attention as opposed to 15. 

Im trying that in Gibson. when I can rid myself of these aging overpriced vets. If you have a spot anywhere for me Mike , lemme know. 

Honestly, that 30 win season and the 51 win season the first year in Gibson kinda keeps you out of my worlds.   You take the tanking shortcuts that irk me so.

the first season in gibson i took over half way through. the owner before me trotted out HiA pitchers in the majors.