you nailed H-man - no smart business person bids against themselves. The Yankees made an offer and told DJ to explore FA then come back to them. Unless sone make a ridiculous offer they will match or top it.
37 isn't old & decrepit but position players begin losing a step- we saw with Bernie -sometimes it happens 'over the off-seaso'/ One year they're at the top of the game, next year can't get that ball or beat out that grounder to deep short. Why do think the Yankees talk it season by season with Gardy in recent years? We don't need another albatross contract to deall with - remember when Ellsbury, was getting paid and didn't even make it to ST
Try this parallel: you go to an auction and see this great item and really want it. You make a bid/offer - are you going to raise that bid if no one else raises it? or act like the idiot who bids against themselves????? If someone does raise the bid, you have the opportunity to top it.