You don't do it with every player, but you definitely do it with the core, key players of the team who are committed to making this work. You can do it to a lesser degree with your supporting cast, but that's usually somewhat limited.
No matter how it's justified, it comes with a cost. No matter if it's the core or deepest depth.
Also, what we don't know is who they would have wanted to sign this year and in the past, but just didn't have the flexibility. They will sell the "we do us" narrative, but they'll never tell you how it stopped them and how they are at a disadvantage more often than not. Focusing on signing one player and selling that flexibility, doesn't tell the whole story.