Here's what I think happened. 2003 - Ford makes ML minimum $300,000 2004 - Brewers send Ford to minors, but have to pay him at least 80% of his previous year salary (~$240k) 2005 - Brewers think Ford will be in the minors again, but don't want to pay him the 80% of $240k ($192k). So, they tell him they won't pay him that much but they'll pay him more than he would get as a free agent. If Ford says no, then they would release him and save $192k. But Ford, or his agent, is smart and takes the offer because Ford wouldn't get $10,000/month as a minor league free agent. So the Brewers are probably paying more than he would have gotten from another club, but less than the $192k. In order to do that, they would have to release him and then have him sign a new contract. Does that make sense?