It was that way when the Mets of Major League Baseball missed their window to sign Rodgers' client Mike Hampton, eventually watching him ink an eight-year, $121-million deal with the Colorado Rockies. New York tried to get involved before the conclusion, only to be told it was too late for them. It's the same way with Chicago White Sox starter Jeff Samardzija, who has been traded twice because his window to do a long-term deal has been closed for some time. The assumption is he's headed to baseball's free agency.