Rob Neyer's latest column--at http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/neyer_rob/1527210.html--discusses the Vernon Wells and Eric Hinske signings. It's worth a read, but I'd have to say that it doesn't break new ground or contain any special insights. In particular, the John Hart analogy in my opinion weakens the piece, because holding Hart up as a good role model while saying that Cam Bonifay made poor choices as the GM of the Pirates obfuscates the context of the Jays decision-making.
What Neyer does explain, with some clarity, is that the Jays are paying a fair sum for future good performances from two young players, thus generating some cost certainty, and that they will expire at just about the time when Hinske and Wells will most likely case improving as baseball players. In other words, just before they reach 30 years of age.
What I would have liked to see more of in this column is a thorough look at how Hinske and Wells might develop over time with particular attention to age. In my mind there's a really good study waiting to be done about whether baseball players in this millenium can extend their peak years of performance longer, or age better, than their predecessors.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20030321122904999