I can't blame Pujols for wanting to cash in. He has been playing at a discounted rate since he came up to the big leagues. He hasn't even been the highest paid player on the team. Professional athletes measure themselves amongst their peers by how much they make on an annual basis. It isn't hard to state the case that he is the best player in the MLB right now, and it's not difficult to say he is one the greatest hitters in history, so he wants paid for it. Pujols simply wants to be the first 30 million a year player. It will happen, whether it's with the Cardinals or some other team like the Cubs or Angels. On the Cardinals side of thing, I don't believe they have a problem giving him 30 mil/year, but instead, it boils down to the number of years and the type of option that will play out towards the end of the deal. I've heard of several creative plans including spreading the pay out over several years, giving Albert a percentage of ownership in the team upon his retirement, and also giving him X amount of cash for each milestone he reaches, as well as getting a large percentage of the revenue the team makes if they are marketing that milestone. The last I heard, many believed it would take a 210 mil over 7 years with some type of mutual option for an 8th, to sign Pujols. Is he still a 30 million a year player at age 37? Probably not. If Pujols really wants to stay in St. Louis, he will probably have to come down on the years. I think he could get 30 over 6 years gaurenteed. I believe #5 will be playing 1B and batting 3rd on opening day in 2012. The Cardinals will have $15 mil from Carpenter coming off the books after this year (I could see him coming back for a discounted rate), and Loshe (12 MILLION for NOTHING!!!) after 2012. The Cardinals also have great faith in their farm system, and the front office feels that they are going to be able to plug players into starting positions for cheap prices when needed. If they have both Pujols and Holliday under contract for the next few years, nearly 50% of their target payroll will be directed toward these 2 players. Bill DeWitt and John Mozeliak are no idiots, and they realize how much Pujols means to the Cardinals organzation. They have said, and hinted towards, that they are willing to increase the payroll. The time has come now for that to happen if they want to have Holliday, and keep Pujols, Wainwright, and Molina. One MAJOR thing helping the Cardinals is both the Yankees and Red Sox basically being out of the 1B market, and Pujols isn't going to go somewhere to DH. I can realistically only think of 3 other teams who would have the money and an opeing, the Angels, Cubs, and Mets.
Yeah that's what I was thinking. The big market teams are pretty set at 1b. I could see the Mets making an offer though. They don't seem to mind dropping some money lately. Could be a lethal lineup (if they could ever stay healthy). Pujlos, Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Davis, Francouer yikes
Are you really saying he is anywhere near the end of his career...he is the most dangerous hitter in the game...he is THE best player in baseball.
2010 stats 42 HR (1st) .312 BA (6th) 118 RBI (1st), Here are his stats for last year...hardly on the downside
Devils advocate time. He's also: * 31 years old seeking an 8-10 year deal * has plantar fasciitis * needs TJ surgery on his throwing arm (could hamper power #'s long term) * possibly older than stated I'm a lifelong Cardinal fan/homer, but I'm not drinking the koolaid about bringing him back "no matter what". There are serious concerns(and should be) on the teams behalf to pay him 30+% of their overall payroll, when his numbers will decline at some point in the future. The Cardinals have won a WS with him, and also missed the playoffs 3 out of the last 4 seasons with him. I remember watching the one trick pony show when they had McGwire's big salary and not much else. I'd rather not go through that with Pujols.
I agree with all you said, especially that part about avoiding an 8-10 year deal...I was simply showing he has not hit a decline "yet". Time and time again we are seeing guys decline when they should, "normally", now that ped's are being monitored much more closely. He is about to that point, especially for a power hitter. I would not sign him at any cost either, but I would get some contender to give me the franchise around july/august if the Cardinals are out of it and the talks are not going well.
BBM, I hope you would agree that I would not give him over a 5 year deal. Anymore and I say let him go. Although that would give me a very sick feeling seeing him play somewhere else. I don't know. This guy has produced every freaking year. I honestly don't even want to think about it. This would be a bigger break up than Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant! lol This is just coming from a guy who wears a STL had nearly every single day and its not just because I'm going bald.
I am on board, but I wear a Braves hat if that is cool. Think your GM has the sack to let him walk, I know nothing of the situation or the brass involved. I know the Braves would, except we would make sure we got nothing more that a washed up closer and a player to be named later
I'd offer him big money (30+) for 4. He gets his ego stroked with largest annual salary and the team isn't totally fubar if he gets a serious injury or starts to decline. After that, re-evaluate another extension.
Yeah, man, the braves are cool with me! Mozeliak won't let him walk, I just feel like he got blind sided. Had Pujols sung this tune earlier than you would not be seeing Holiday in a Cardinals uniform. Pujols threw a fit demanding that the sign Holiday and then offered to take a pay cut to do so. I just feel the the organazition is really weighing their options and taking their time. All in all, I see Albert playing there for this next several years.
No but there were times it got close with the fans after the brawl..I was refering to when Molina and Phillips were stiring the pot.
Amazing how he still gets blamed for the CUBS inability to seal the deal.Weren't there more than a few opportunities to end that game on the field.:D
I believe the real culprit was Alex Gonzalez if I remember correctly. Had Mark Prior and Kerry Wood not of blown out their arms, I think it is safe to say the Cubs would have at least made a World Series appearance by now. BUT luckily for us Cardinal fans, they haven't And back on topic, I don't really think Pujols will sign a 5 year deal. He's not stupid, and he knows that this is probably his last chance to get paid. If he really wants that 30 mil, he will get it somewhere and he will get the years to go with it. I still think the Cardinals will sign him. No Owner or GM wants to be known as "The guy who let the greatest player in baseball leave". If they don't happen to sign him, then they better go out there and spend the money to try to replace him with several solid players. Losing the face of your franchise doesn't make it easy to sell tickets, and I don't see marketing Matt Holliday to have the same kind of draw....
I don't think the Cards are ever going to have a problem selling tickets but I also don't see them letting Pujols go. The main reason for the deadline of spring training is because Pujols does not and will not discuss such matters during the season and to him spring training is the season and he is focusing strictly on baseball.
