I would bet that the 7/$175 report was the offer we had on the table for the majority of this debacle.
If we came right out with a 8/$250 and 2 options that could bring it to $320 I don't think it drags on for as long as it did, I think he would have signed after it was clear no one else was getting involved. I think no one else valued Machado in this upper range, just couldn't afford to add a huge contract, or didn't have the need for the player.
The Phillies wanted to spend "stupid" money and even they balked at $300 million for Machado.