Fools, the next CBA will remove the very concept of free agency and make all players arbitration eligible at 29. The arbitration proceedings will be run by a panel led by Joe Morgan, Jerry Reinsdorf's closing living relative and Chris Mad Dog Russo.
My running theory is that they were planning on signing him but when word of the Papa Joe email leaks came out in the fall, it became clear the kids would have to buy the old man out of his stake. So they held back cash to prepare to make that purchase.
I just realized he was on his way to his father's funeral. We had to get off the original plane and reboard another. I didn't get to my hotel until 4:30 in the morning. That must have made a rough weekend that much worse for Barry.