I know I don't have much play being the nOOb, but I find the contract extension system pretty ingenious here. It's similar to arbitration... one strategy could be do extend a player early before they may increase their value. Of course, if they don't play that outstanding, then their ranking will be lowered due to all of the other extra players in the position pool at the end of the season.
The extensions appear to heavily favor big market teams. The real Joe Mauer just got a HUGE deal whereas this Joe Mauer makes $10m/year. If he is the top paid catcher, then how is $10m legit? FYI, Posada makes more, but that $13m is not listed in the contracts page??? Anyways, perhaps the Type A players (top 20%) should be valued in a separate list that combines all positions?