Quote Originally Posted by Guiness View Post
Bingo.

The money just seems too much and creates an impasse. He has no reason to sign until tagged, and the tag makes him prohibitively expensive because he'll want that amount per year. They've screwed the pooch on this one and are really painted into a corner. I think they have to let him test the open market, and there all bets are off as to where he ends up.
There are lots of reports, including by LaCanfora, that they are prepared to live with the tag one more year.

But that does leave open your question, whether they really want him on a long term deal or they are just biding their time and trying to not angering him enough to hold out.