According to the story, the Giants first didn't want to sign him, and then did when they couldn't sign any other big hitter. But before they did, they asked all the veterans on the team what they thought and were given the thumbs up by the players, mainly because everyone thought that despite it all, he'd help the team. So the Giants made their $16 million dollar pitch.

Up til now, the only hang up was on Barry's entourage, mainly that the Giants didn't want anymore of Barry's people hanging around the locker room, something which has been the norm for nigh on forever. But speculation and those "anonymous sources" are saying that's only a smoke screen and that the Giants are looking to find a way to get out of their general agreement.

We have no actual proof to back this up, but we have a feeling that the amphetamine story might have been the final straw as it were. There was a lot of criticism of the Giants when the deal was announced but there was still a few defenders out there. Those defenders are now fewer and far between. For some, it was a reminder of what Life With Barry is all about and what the next year will be like. For others, it wasn't that he got busted, but more like he ratted on somebody else. Everybody hates a rat fink. Maybe the Giants are reacting to that, the increasingly bad vibe surrounding the whole thing.

Or maybe it's a bluff. The original $16 million was based on some faith-based thinking that other people were pursuing Barry. That can't be true now-- if anyone was interested, they're probably not anymore. Barry's bargaining position is nada and so the Giants can put the screws to him, maybe negotiate down. Barry at $16 million is ridiculous, especially in light of things. Barry at $2 or $3 million sounds a bit better.