[Sylvanfan]

I think the key is to try and get these guys signed to deals where you can blend some of the cheaper years with the first couple unrestricted years. Recently guys like Braun, Longoria, and Tulowitzki signed longer deals after a season or two. It's one thing to let a 28 year old guy get to free agency...that hurts. But if you bought up those first couple years before hand, it's not so bad to avoid signing a 31 year old guy to an expensive 5 year contract.