More goes into a decision like that. Edwin is probably the best DH in Baseball now that Ortiz is retired but it's a groundbreaking deal for a player who only hits. I know he played a lot First Base but that had more to do with the Colabello suspension and Smoak being useless. It's clear they didn't want to go out and make a move at the position because they weren't interested in trading prospects. That's why they went after someone like Melvin Upton to try to add some Outfield depth over a higher profile guy. Plus DHing Bautista as often as they could was probably for the best.
I really don't think Edwin will get that number or near it especially the years. Boston could very well choose to go after Beltran to DH. Everyone's assuming they will give Edwin what he wants when offence is not an issue for them. If anybody is going to offer him big money its a team desperately in search of a bat trying to make an impact. Who knows that could be an NL team interested in playing him at First Base.
I want him back but if we come out of free agency knowing we have 3 first round picks next June and Atkins plugged in some pretty good veteran pieces for a fraction of the cost. We should all be extremely happy. It's not being cheap. I'd rather the money was spent wisely and not on players who are unlikely to repeat the level of production they have been producing at. I hate the idea of buying decline years.
As long as the roster looks good come Spring and a good plan is in place everything is good. Only the worst kind of fan will be crying and complaining that Rogers is cheap. They should spend just not on guys on the wrong side of 30.