i don't get how it can be E. That oh so sacred GMAT idol of parallelism is totally violated here...
"players" from the Seattle team received <----> other team received (not the players) ---- the receiving entity (player vs. team) is not parallel in option E. There are many questions where the right answer will depend on this kind of minute detail.
In option C, just because "offered" is used, how can one conclude that the meaning has been altered? A team will offer a contract to its players... The players from the Seattle team received larger contracts [from the Seattle team -- who else?] than those offered by other teams their players... this makes the most logical sense to me.
If you literally interpret stuff and stick close to the meaning and look out for parallelism etc.. then even E is not parallel. The receiving entities (players vs. team) are not the same.. you have to make a short leap of logic to say ok if you give to the team then its like giving to the players... in the same manner you can look at C -- just coz offered is used doesn't automatically mean the meaning has changed; you have to look at the context...
anyway, i am done with my rant -- back to my books now.