The media were creaming themselves about Cole in FA. I am pretty sure someone on the tube (can't remember if it was Fox or MLB Network) was suggesting $40MM AAV was not totally out of the question.
There seemed to be a collective "gurk!" finger pulling collar moment when he pulled that stunt with the cap, though.
Nonetheless, I think it's going to be $35MM AAV for Cole. I can see someone desperate going to 10 years as well.
Ninja - I think Slate and I are on the same page here.