If they don't do a trade like this, though, they're going to cut Bogans himself before the season starts (and they've got to start cutting paychecks again). Not a prayer in hell that they pay Bogans to sit on his ass on his couch again this season. A deal like this - a conditional pick and/or cash, essentially for a TPE - preserves the "value" of Bogans' deal for another twelve months, while not having to actually pay him any money.
the thought of getting back a TPE if a deal for a decent player or more picks and a crappy player isn't available isn't a bad idea.
I still think Danny will be able to move those 3 and perhaps Bass for an unproductive player on an expiring deal and a second rounder that to clear roster space or move those 3 and a well-protected second rounder for a TPE.
I'd be very surprised if none of them are traded for at least something and have to be waived -- particularly Bogans
I thought so, too, but it's getting a little late in the offseason. Figure that earlier on, teams might have been looking to clear cap space for free agents, but that's pretty much done now. And, I don't see ownership being enthused about acquiring the kinds of player being described - guys underperforming their contracts - that teams might be looking to dump. The C's have a lot of young guys at most positions that need to be getting the bulk of the playing time.
So, I agree in theory that I think they were looking to use those contracts to acquire an interesting player - basically, what they did with Zeller. But, I'm not sure how many more opportunities there are for those types of deals today.
And Bogans, at least, isn't going to collect a dime of his contract, whether he's traded and cut or we cut him ourselves.