That's actually a really good article. Thanks for that, Hap.
What worries me about him being distracted by the contract year stuff is that once he gets that contract, how will that affect his mindset? Is he paid so now he doesn't worry about how he practices/plays at all? Or is he the kind of guy that lo9ks at the contract and says well, now I have to earn it.
Could Also be counter productive including incentives for a guy like this as well. Instead of focusing on what's good for team, he's worrying about meeting personal milestones to get paid.
In the end, McD and Beane know him on a personal level and know what makes him tick and they have known him for a while. We just don't.