I think you two guys are talking about two different scenarios. However, I am generally of the opinion that too much wheeling and dealing goes on with the RFAs. Unfortunately, I think it would be too hard to police. I am not sure how many times the situations the Squirrell Chasers have illustrated have happened, but I think if it was frequent, the unfairness of the situation is obvious. These deals aren't always adverstised (sometimes they are), so teams could be in a situation where they feel they need to offer a bribe in addition to the highest bid on an RFA. I don't think the purpose of the RFA was to give teams leverage on these players, other than first rights to matching their highest bid.
Maybe one solution would be that RFAs cannot be traded prior to the start of in season free agency. If a team losses an RFA, they could get a compensatory draft pick based on some variable. Possibly RFAs for over $3000 get a 1st rounder, 2000-2999 get a 2nd rounder, 1000-1999 get a 3rd rounder, and under 1000 get a 4th rounder (addition pick after all 3rd rounders). These draft picks would allotted after the normal draft picks for that round.
We could also outlaw the trading of any draft picks or other compensation for the non-matching of RFAs, as this is essentially trading the rights of RFAs.
Just an idea.
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