Those are all valid points. But not to be extrapolated into a comparison with RFA contracts. Negotiators and arbotrators use comparables, so they will be asking what players around Bouma's age, RFA status and ability are making.
He will get credit if he goes into UFA years while signing when he's an RFA. But not as much as a pure UFA. And if he only signs a 1 year or so, he's taking a risk his value drops.
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