Exactly. More over, I don't think we can assume that 5/100 is the max of what the Sox would be willing to pay, but it is the point to which bidding has taken them thus far. In other words, after reading the market, Dombrowski started off with a low-ish offer anticipating it would be countered and beaten from somewhere else and he'd just raise the offer if need be, only it hasn't been countered yet (presumably). No sense in bidding against himself in the meantime.My guess is they really want him, but they think/know he doesn't have any other serious bidders.
If this is all true, it's understandable why Martinez hasn't signed anything yet. But at some point, he's going to have to come to the realization that it is the best he can do and sign it...unless some team (D-Backs?) swoops in late with a better offer.