When compared to Strasburg YES!!!
Strasburg opted out of deal, interviewed with other clubs he had ZERO intention of signing with, all to leverage the Nationals into overpaying for him. You want to talk about "how much did he really need?" Strasburg could have just kept his original contract, not opted out, and still had generational wealth.
Rendon was clear about not wanting deferred money. That's totally reasonable, considering we're talking about the only time in his career he will have a say in where he plays. Truth be told, I'm wondering if he would have taken the contract extension offered at the end of last season if there were no deferred money in it.
Seems to me your beef is more with the greedy Lerners than with the players who want to cash in.