Soriano was 31 when he got an 8 yr contract.. I personally have no gripe about it.
My bringing up Soriano is mainly in my thinking of why Hoyer might be hesitant in giving out those type of contracts (8+yrs)length wise and giving them out to guys that 30+. He was the GM when he and Theo were trying to trade Soriano towards the end of that contract but couldn't get any takers because of Soriano age and money owed, they finally got the Yankees to bite but had to pay part of the contract just to get back a low level pitcher in return.
Heyward was Theo guy.
Swanson the only guy he has signed so far for 7 yrs.
Yes majority of FA now are 30 or close to it and so far in Hoyers 6th offseason as POBO, outside of Swanson(28), he hasn't inked anyone for more than 5 years, they've been 3-5 at most.
I just personally feel that Hoyer is just gunshy now and don't want to be in position to be stuck with a long term deal with a guy after age 35. I could be wrong as to why but until he actually signs players to a long term deal past age 35, theres a reason why he doesn't and that just my thoughts on why.