NYT and Anonymous Sourcing

A whole new paradigm in reporting from the New York Times!

The Mets offered a three-year contract, with an option for a fourth year, valued at $30 million to $31 million, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations who was granted anonymity because he did not want to jeopardize the talks[emphasis added].

So they're now describing the motive for anonymous sources. I haven't seen this innovation oon the news pages yet, but it seems it's only a matter of time:

...according to an aide to Mayor Bloomberg, who was granted anonymity because he wanted to convince Democratic voters that the mayor shares their views.

...according to an associate of Mr. Powell's who was granted anonymity because he wanted to salvage some of the reputation that the Secretary burned before the U.N.

...according to a senior administration official who was granted anonymity because we were all getting tanked over at Sally and Ben's and, frankly, this reporter can't recall which official it was.