One thing I really like about this idea, Supfin99, is that you are not talking about pitchers. Seems such a low percentage of those long term pitcher signings turn out well. Long term contracts for position players can be risky, no doubt. However... Morneau at $80 million for 2008-2013 was an excellent signing until the concussion. Likely many GMs were jealous when they read that. Mauer's 4 year, $33 million contract was an excellent sign by the Twins. If I am following your post correctly, you would have encouraged that early Mauer signing to be a 10 year contract (through 2016) rather than a 4 year offer. That could certainly have saved some real money.