Maybe the have the money, have had and always were willing to spend the money, but ideally would like to move money and stay under LT restrictions bc that would be even better. They could just be doing this to save more money to address other roster issues (see: bullpen) on top of all of this. It’s smart to try to sign him for the lowest price possible. It’s just dumb to not sign him (or at least put out an offer that could)