Think you have to look at some form of continuity. After the season finished, there were plenty of assumptions, but only 1 player on our books and that was Fergie. Bearing in mind it's just the new players that I see have two year deals, and most of the fans from the teams we have signed from will tell you they are decent signings, that may have been attracting interest elsewhere then perhaps two year deals was the only way to make sure they joined us?
I don't know for sure, but as I said it would only mean 6 players carried over to next season as it stands, and I'd rather have that than re-assembling a whole squad.