I'm glad the Cards didn't go for that much money. It would of been nice to see him retire as a Cardinal, but they will still have a good team this year without him.
9/10 times this works out for the team that lets their "star" go. I think its a good move by the Cardinals. No one can say for sure how many good years he has left. History says he doesn't have many, and that contract would have handicapped them. 10 years? Really? For a guy on the backside of his prime? Amazing. Good for Pujols.
Agreed. Good move for the Cards to pass. It's mind boggling to think a 42 year old will be making 25 mil a year probably DH.
Agreed with the above. If Albert is awake 16 hours a day, for 365 days.....he's making $4,280.82 a waking hour. Without bonuses, and endorsements. Mind boggling.
I've been a Pujols fan since 2001, but I've been a diehard Cardinal fan my whole life..... After listening to Pujols talk all day on the radio, T.V., and co-workers, I think it is safe to say that Cardinal nation is alright with this. I had a friend text me this morning and ask me if this was a sad day for the Cards, or are we relieved. I told him I would tell him in 10 years, but I'm leaning towards being relieved. Albert was a great player for the Cards, and it will definantly be different not seeing #5 penciled into next years opening day lineup. We will miss out on watching the greatest player of our generation get to 3,000 hits, reach the 500 and 600 HR club, and break every offensive record in Cardinal history. However when you sit back and look at the big picture, it makes sense for the Redbirds. For St. Louis, their payroll will be about 110 million. If they signed Pujols to the $25 mil per season that the Angels did, then you have nearly 40% of your payroll centered around 2 players (Holliday being the other). For this team, a 10 year deal to a 32 year old first basemen is potentially deadly. They will survive. With Waino coming back, Freese, Craig, Holliday, and Jay offer a solid core to a lineup for the next few years. They have arguably the best 2 pitching prospects of any team with Shelby Miller and Carlos Martinez, and a very good first baseman in Matt Adams down in the minors. Of any position, 1B is the easiest to fill. You won't get the production you did from Pujols, but Berkman is going to slide in just fine there. It's time to go find an outfielder (cough Carlos Beltran cough), a SS, and to figure something out at 2nd. The loss of Pujols will hurt, but it will not cripple them. In fact I feel that Jeff Luhnow leaving to be the Astros G.M. will be a bigger blow 6-7 years down the road. As far as the Angels go, I don't really fully understand their logic. I understand their fear with Kendry Morales, and his health, but did they forget about Mike Trout? The kid is the best prospect in all of baseball, ready to play everyday, and he has always been projected to play 1B in the future. I know that if they have the money to spend on Pujols, then the marketing chances in LA will be huge, but I just feel that they would have been better off spending 25 mil this year to sign some other pieces. After all, Torii Hunter or Vernon Wells are slated to be hitting 4th behind Pujols.....nothing else needs to be said there lol. Even with the addition of Wilson, I still feel the Rangers and Red Sox are the best teams in the A.L. One can't blame Pujols for his decision. St. Louis offer was believed to be 9 years at 195 mil, with a club option for the 10th year. The Angels gave him what he wanted and he ran for the west coast. I truly believe that Albert wanted to retire a Cardinal, but he wanted to do it on his terms, and they were too great for the Cards. The money was more important than his legacy in St. Louis. I think he may have a hard time when he's in his mid to late 30's and the LA media is on him about not being worth 25 mil/year. He has been a golden boy in St. Louis, and was hardly ever criticized for anything that happened. He would have been able to age, and slowly play his way into retirement in STL, without hearing much about it. I don't think he will have that luxury in Los Angeles.
Agreed. They have money to lock up Molina and Waino now, and if the situation presents itself they can make a free agent splash after 2012. Some of the young guys are going to be arriving soon. It's been awhile since we've had so many quality prospects on the horizon. The NL Central is weak, and with the roster they field this year, they will be competetive.
i agree with everyone saying the cardinals made a good decision. the angels got screwed in my opinion. like Vito said, he is on the backside of his prime, which will not last any more then 5 years. They're going to be overpaying him so much as a DH..
Lot of great insight in this.. Bad move on Pujols' part for his legacy, seems like not too smart of a move for the Angels (only time will tell, like the Rasmus trade), and seems like a good move for the Cards if they spend all the money that they just saved wisely. I think this is what has all of St. Louis pissed off right now: "Do I want to be in St. Louis forever? Of course,” Pujols said. “…People from other teams want to play in St. Louis and they’re jealous that we’re in St. Louis because the fans are unbelievable. So why would you want to leave a place like St. Louis to go somewhere else and make $3 or $4 more million a year? It’s not about the money. I already got my money. It’s about winning and that’s it.” -Albert Pujols, February 15, 2009
Im not sure the Angels have the offensive lineup to get it done right away. Obviously Pujlos helps. But Tori Hunter and Vernon Wells? Not exactly feared by many pithcers anymore. Bobby Abreu? Another bat getting old. And actually I don't see why everyone is going goofy about singing a number 3 starter for 77 mil either. IMO CJ Wilson isn't that great. Especially so in the playoffs. I think they'll contend and good signings for them. Not ready to annoint them champions of anything though.
I am forced to agree with you two times today. It stings a little. Overpaying for a bunch of guys on the downside of their career...where have we seen this before?
Yeah I'll agree with you. The AL West still has to go through the Rangers. Their lineup is still stacked, and there is even talk they may sign Fielder. Feliz, Holland, Harrison, Ogando, and Lewis will form a VERY solid rotation.
