The latest on free agent superstar Albert Pujols…
- Marlins people are saying they withdrew their offer to Pujols, not the other way around, tweets ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Either way, the end result is the same: the Marlins are out.
- Bob Nightengale of USA Today confirms (via Twitter) the Marlins are no longer involved, but says Pujols still has three offers in excess of $200MM. It's hard to imagine which teams besides the Cardinals would be offering that much.
- Well, it looks like the Marlins won't sign every top free agent on the market. ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick hears that Dan Lozano has told the Marlins they're out of the running for Pujols, though there are still clubs involved besides the Cardinals (Twitter links).
- The Cardinals' offer currently on the table is for nine years, not ten, according to Buster Olney (via Twitter). Meanwhile, the Marlins aren't completely out on Pujols, but won't increase their offer, tweets MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
- Pujols appears headed back to the Cardinals and the two sides are believed to be only a few million dollars apart on a ten-year deal, reports Bill Madden of the New York Daily News.
- The Marlins are moving on emotionally from the Pujols talks, tweets Buster Olney, though they haven't necessarily pulled their offer.
- Pujols' camp is attempted to extract every possible nickel in an offer from Miami so they can take that to the Cardinals, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- The Marlins are still in on Pujols, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Angels GM Jerry Dipoto told reporters his focus has not been on Pujols.
- ESPN's Jerry Crasnick hears lots of buzz in Dallas that the Pujols decision is shifting in the Cardinals' direction.
- Pujols is likely heading back to the Cardinals, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. He says the Marlins are shifting their attention to Prince Fielder, while several others say they'll turn to pitching targets.
- A Cardinals source sees a good chance of a resolution one way or another today on Pujols, tweets Jon Paul Morosi. Buster Olney says there's a growing sense among some officials involved in the Pujols talks that he's staying with the Cardinals.
- The Cubs are still involved in the Pujols talks, tweets Ken Rosenthal, though the extent is unclear.
- The Marlins say they've made their final offer to Pujols, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, though an additional meeting with agent Dan Lozano remains possible.
- The Cardinals are meeting with Pujols' camp this morning, tweets MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Heyman believes the Marlins' ten-year offer is in the $200-220MM range.
- Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the Cardinals' newest offer to Pujols is believed to approach $220MM over 10 years. The Cards didn't place a deadline on their offer, and general manager John Mozeliak said this wouldn't necessarily be the club's final offer. Strauss is unsure if all 10 years are guaranteed, or if the tenth year involves some kind of option.
Tim Dierkes and Luke Adams contributed to this post.
I wonder if the Marlins will counter offer with $220,000,001.00. Worth it for the future Hall of Famer. Or they could sign me for $150,000.
Oh yeah, I’ll play for $149,999.
The Marlins don’t want to get embroiled in another payroll scandal. League minimum or GTFO.
i think it’s funny that the marlins could be playing one player more than they spent on their new stadium
Cardinals offer 9 years at 220 with a 10 year mutual option. Thats my guess
Could be a vesting option for the 10 year like Hollidays where in the 9th year if he finishes in the top 10 in MVP voting it vests. If pujols is still producing enough to be in the top 10 in MVP voting the cards would be happy to pick up his option, and Pujols has the machismo to believe that he’ll always hit at his current level.
Really? You think when he is 40 years old he will be in the top 10 MVP voting?
I doubt it, but I think Pujols believes he will be.
Well if Berkman can finish in the top 5 at age 36 Id say Pujols has a decent chance in the ton 10 at 40
#fanlogic
Back to Back to Back post… “Officials hear Pujols will stay with the Cardinals” – ” Buehrle expect to sign within 24 hours” – “Furcal heading to another team than Brewers”… Cardinals gaining ground here
where were these posts?
Being cheap is no longer an excuse. If he leaves he is either greedy or he just doesn’t want to be in St. Louis or both.
The Cardinals can survive Pujols leaving as long as their pitching stays healthy. I know he’s probable one of the most popular Cardinals ever. His contract is way out of control though. It’s an insane amount of money that he will be getting either way.
Yes. But he was way under payed for the last 11 years. I think it’s worth it to have him a Cardinal for life. But ultimately, if he left we would be ok.
Worth $220 mil to be a cardinal for life? Why not let other teams overpay when your team had him when he was underpaid? Think of how the cardinals could spend $220 mil in the next 10 years!
that’s assuming there’s better ways to spend that money. how often does such a dominant hitter come along…even his decline years will be better than many solid careers
He signed a 110 Million $$$$ deal that allowed the Cardinals to put players around him & win. That was a ton of money for a 3rd year player.
Yeah, what an indignity to be subjected to. Only earning over 100MM so far in his career. Poor fella.
when you’re the undisputed best in the sport and not even being paid close to the top salaries, yes that’s kinda an indignity
You’re right, those are the only possible reasons. It would make no sense that there could possibly any other reason whatsoever. I’m sure no one else in his position would possibly explore their options.
You’re right, those are the only possible reasons. It would make no sense that there could possibly any other reason whatsoever. I’m sure no one else in his position would possibly explore their options.
“The Cards didn’t place a deadline on their offer, and general manager
John Mozeliak said this wouldn’t necessarily be the club’s final offer”
If that’s the case, he might just wait even more now. Unless the Marlins come out with another higher offer and decide to include a no trade clause in it.
Yeah why give other teams or the Marlins another chance?
Yeah why give other teams or the Marlins another chance?
.300/40/120 is worth $220 Mil? Absolute stupidity.
If he can put up those numbers every season for the next 10 years, then heck yeah he’ll be worth that and much more.
What are you expecting a guy like Pujols to sign for? Everyone knew that there would be teams drooling over to sign him. If that’s what it takes to sign the guy, then that’s just the way it is. Every team in the league would love to have a guy who has a down year with that kind of line.
Sometimes is not only the numbers, but the name of the player. The Cards big ticket guy is Pujols.
The Marlins big guy was going to be Stanton… until the Pujols rumors started up.
try .299/37/99.. he is declining for 4 straight years and in this day and age where theres no steroids or hgh..its gonna be a downhill sprint!
ugh!
>2011
>using counting stats
please tell me you’re not serious
Liked but I see no green…
watchu mean?
That’s it, I think you can slot El Hombre into the cardinals lineup for the next decade.
Ten years for a thirty-something baseball player. Incredible.
Seriously? I mean, seriously?
I will be really happy if he stays in the NL.
Never count them out.
Logged in just to like this! Mystery Team!
Mark Tex just okayed to play OF next year.. Mystery team is now the Yankees
The Marlins would be better off with Pujols choosing St. Louis and they “get stuck with” Prince Fielder.
If I am doing my math right that will out Cardinals payroll at $102 million and they have came out and said $110 million is there 2012 budget. So does that mean $4 million a year for the next 2 years? JC Romero and there set for 12 World series in 2012!!
wow… about 1/6 of the teams payroll for 10 years. Amazing, management might have to bump up payroll if they want to stay competitive past the next couple of seasons.
Its getting crazy–unless it is a graduated contract (more money up front) a team will be paying him over $20 million when he is 42.
That right there underscores just how ridiculous his contract offers have become!
At this point, I’m thinking let St. Louis keep Albert and the Fish can go get some pitching.
Or the Fish can get Fielder. Lower risk than Pujols anyway.
You must have never seen what Prince Fielder actually looks like. Similarly-sized players usually drop off a cliff in their mid-thirties.
That is such a lame argument…David Ortiz is fine in his mid thirties, Babe Ruth was fat, Miguel Cabrera is fat, Sabathia is fat, Heath Bell is fat. Whats your point? Even if your argument holds up, Fielder is 27. Mid-thirties begin at 33-34? If he gives them 6 or 7 years like the previous 6 with the Brewers thats a damn good deal. Prince Fielder at 8 years or so is a far lower risk than Pujols and his 10 year deal.
I wish he would just decide. I get the feeling that this deal is holding up a lot of other deals right now.
I wish he would host a 30-minute ESPN special where he announces his decision.
YOU THINK HE DOESN’T DESERVE AN HOUR LONG SPECIAL?
Not worth it at all. Declining for the last 3 years and figures to continue to decline (Granted, he is still better than most even when declining but to be paying a premium for his decline years is stupid) what was he worth last season? 5 WAR? Let the Marlins sign him, then trade for Gaby Sanchez on the cheap ha-ha. People are balking at 4 years for Rollins, 10 years for Pujols… yikes.
Seriously now though, if the Marlins DO sign Pujols. What are the chances Miami HAVE to get rid of Sanchez/Ramirez? I can somewhat understand St. Louis going all out to retain Albert but I really don’t understand why any other team would give him 200+/10.
The Marlins will trade Gaby Sanchez if they get Pujols. It’s better for them to trade Gaby sooner rather than later so they can get more value for him. Hanley, I don’t think they’ll get rid of, but he will cry and scream.
5 year $90+ million offer coming to Mr. Wilson courtesy of the Miami Marlins.
5 year $90+ million offer coming to Mr. Wilson courtesy of the Miami Marlins.
Cubs are only in there to jack up the price for the Marlins. Cubs still can’t get over Bartman.
Actually the cubs are in there to jack up the price for the cardinals… they could really give a crap about a team that isn’t even in their division. Way to sneak in a Bartman reference though troll.
Typical Cubs fan, always bitter that Alou lost the WS.
Either way, looks like the Cubs are trolling one team, either the Marlins or Cardinals, but a Cubs fan won’t worry about that.
Actually I rememeber that game what lsit that game was not Alou (even wothout Bartman that would have been a difficult catch) but the SS making a late game error and the mgr leaving the starter in too long
Jeff is correct, it was Gonzalez booting a tailor made double play that really put the nail in the coffin on that inning.
Had Prior thrown a strike on the next pitch, there would have been two outs, making the play easier.
Jeff is correct, it was Gonzalez booting a tailor made double play that really put the nail in the coffin on that inning.
So was it a Alou or Bartman? If you’re going to troll cubs fans at least be consistent. And again, I think if you actually believe that the cubs trying to drive up the price for the Marlins, you might want to read up on how the different divisions in baseball are set up. The cubs are much more concerned about teams within their division getting Albert than a team with no fans and fruity uniforms that aren’t even in their division.
Unless the cubs offer 10 years at 300 they wont be jacking up anyones price.. this is theo saying “Hey Chicago im here”
Thats all Theo was trying to do.
The more teams that get in on the bidding (we don’t know what the cubs offer was) the more pressure it puts on the teams that have already put their bid out there. Obviously the cubs wouldn’t have even bothered to make an offer unless there was something about it that trumped the original offer from the cardinals. I’m pretty sure the cubs never legitimately thought about giving Albert what it would take to get him to come to Chicago. I’m also sure that the Cardinals only know as much as we know as to what other teams are rumored to have offered. Doesn’t make much sense for Albert or his agent to share those numbers between teams.
Actually, it does make sense, if he has a decided preference (and everything he’s said indicates that he does). If the Cardinals offer is less than the Marlins, he brings the Marlins offer in, and says “match it, or I leave”.
If that’s the case then the cubs offer must be substantial to be rumored to still be in the bidding.
Cubs at the moment dont have a offer for Albert
Source? Rumors were flying around yesterday that a qualifying offer was made…
Rumors.. They stated that the Cards and Marlins HAVE offers and the the Cubs remain interested
This is the best you can do? It doesn’t even mean anything. I expect more from my trolls.
Funny how Cubs fans are always expecting more. Maybe next year, buddy.
Funny, but not really a troll. Keep practicing, you’ll get the hang of it.
Well if you dont expect more every year you end up like the Yankees thinking the MLB owes you a W/S. haha
Cubs are only in there to jack up the price for the Marlins. Cubs still can’t get over Bartman.
I love how crazy this is getting! I want him to top Arod!
No chance he will get $275 million + incentives to make it $300 million like A-Rod did.
lol ok? Never said he would just saying I want him to!
but see here is the thing people fail to realize…he brings in so much money with jersey sales, replica jersey shirts, video game endorsments, baseball cards, and the man even has a season ticket package named after him. He will be back no doubt.
Doesn’t that all go into the revenue sharing bucket though?
The Pujols pack is 5 games. I believe they named it the “Champions pack” or something this year. Anyways, they’ve had ticket packs named after a lot of people who have left.
Chicks in Miami vs chicks in St louis. Go south! Albert this is an easy decision. Signed a Astros fan.
Alberts married and BTW Chicks in North Dakota > Chicks in Houston
ZZZZIPP GETS IT BIRDS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT FARM ANIMALS
Sure. Thats a good comparison
Alberts married and BTW Chicks in North Dakota > Chicks in Houston
Go towards the light of Miami, Le Albert…away from the St. Louis darkness.
It may very well be enough to keep Albert in St. Louis on the assumption that the Marlins don’t increase their AAV a bit.
Regardless I have to think that it still has to leave a little bit of a bad taste in Albert’s mouth that all the Cardinals are doing is what they are being forced to do to keep him. They had well over a year to make him a “respectable” offer (one worthy of what he has done and means to the Cardinals). And all the Cardinals appear to have done is basically matched another teams offer. I’m sure Albert will still go out and give the Cardinals 110% if he does sign with them but there are ways to do things and there are ways to do things. Especially by all accounts Albert performance under his previous contract far exceed his compensation. Just my thoughts.
I’ve always said they should have extended him with this sort of a deal shortly after Arod got his payday. They were getting perrenial MVP production from him at that point and would have only been on the hook into his mid to late 30’s. Now he’s declined in production of the last 2 seasons and they’re going to be paying him like they should have been paying him into his early 40’s. Normally the cardinals office makes pretty good decisions, letting this get to this point could wind up being one of their worst decisions ever.
So a 10 year deal with $22 million per year is what they were “forced into”, but the 9 year deal with $22 million per year wasn’t respectable? I don’t get it.
Actually my comment is little bit about both. The years and the AAV of $22M. Obviously going for 9 to 10 years is a difference of $22MM which is no small amount. But I would also take issue with the AAV. There is no reason in the world why on a per year bases Albert should have been offered by the only team he ever played for and played his heart out for been offered a lower AAV than Howard of the Phillies or Tex of the Yankees. I just have a problem with that and I have to think the Pujols has a problem with that as well. That’s just my opinion. This is just my opinion and obviously it’s not my money. But the Cardinals should have offered Pujols at least 5 of the 10 years that had an AAV of $26MM and 1 year of the years that had a $28MM AAV. Those numbers would have put Pujols AAV above Howard and for at least 1 single year he would have exceed the singles season record of A-Rod. Sure it would have cost the Cardinals more over a 10 year period but on average it would have only come to about $2.6MM per year. If a team can afford $22MM on average over 10 years you can’t convince me that $24.6MM on average over that same period is going to kill them. Like I’ve said previously on a blog. The Cardinals saved more then that by LaRussa retiring and hiring a rookie manager.
Let me preface by saying I think he’s resigning with the Cardinals, as the Marlins didn’t beat the Cards offer by any significant amount:
The Cardinals look like they played this right. Why pay him $26 million if you can get him for $22 million?
There was a post yesterday which indicated that the length of contract was never an issue. The issue was AAV. The Cardinals felt that he deserved $22 million AAV. Pujols wanted to test the market. Looks like the market (in this case, only the Marlins), think that Pujols is worth $22 million AAV.
Can the Cardinals afford an extra two or three million a year? Sure. But if you don’t spend that money on Pujols, you have it available elsewhere. $3 million per year may be the difference between Tyler Greene vs. Rafael Furcal at SS, or Skip Shumaker vs. Kelly Johnson at 2B.
The Cardinals are not the Yankees. There is a definite cap to what they can spend each year. If you spend it on Pujols, you don’t spend it elsewhere, and Pujols, by himself, can win you nothing. He needs a team around him, and Cardinals management realizes this.
I think you’re most certainly right in that respect. However, I think the other point to be made is that if they would have extended him earlier (say, before Ryan Howard signed his contract, which essentially set the market), Pujols might have been extended for less years at a higher AAV, which is probably favorable to the Cards long-term.
I half agree with you. I don’t know what Pujols was thinking at that point. He was rumored to be looking for A-Rod money, which is far more than the Cardinals will end up paying regardless
So will Pujols be “taking his talents to south beach”
The Marlins feel that if the offers are close, he stays in St. Louis. Marlins offer is reportedly 10/220. Unless either this report or that one is incorrect, your answer appears to be No.
i was making fun of lebron james lol but thanks for the info
I can maybe understand St. Louis offering this contract as a way of paying Pujols for past services or ensuring that he’s a Cardinal for life for marketing/legacy reaons, but it’s still pretty ridiculous. The Marlins offer just makes no sense at all. I know they’re trying to reboot the franchise with a new stadium, new name, and new uniforms, but this just seems like a terrific way to over-burden a team’s payroll for an entire decade.
Look at Texas when they signed A-Rod. He was younger and putting up better numbers, and it only took them a couple years before they wanted out of that. How long before Pujols drops down to a guy who hits .270 and hits 20-25hrs?
Plus, am I alone in suspecting something’s fishy with his age? We’re practically the same age and I remember in his rookie year thinking that there was no way he was only 21. It’s not like fishy birth dates are uncommon for young players coming out of the DR. I’m not too serious about this “conspiracy theory” but when deciding whether or not to sign a guy to a 10 year contract, it may be something to think about.
he went to high school in the US…
His stats have declined slightly over last year but here is an example of why long term contracts are bad.A-Rod 36 years old hasnt played more than 138 since 07 and has hit HR 35/30/30/16 RBI 103/100/129/62 BA 302/286/270/276 and has 6 years left on contract for 29/28/25/21/20/20. Now in 2017 $20 million might be commonplace as the players will keep gouging the owners for more money.
Whoever signs Pujols is the loser.
So, you wouldn’t want #5 in your lineup? I find that hard to believe. I also find it hard to believe that the Cards would pursue this if they didn’t have the means to increase their overall payroll over the next 10 years.
Nope. Not for 10 years, at that amount.
Whoever signs Pujols is the loser.
The Cards should withdraw their offer and let the Cubs take on the quarter billion dollar albatross. Then they can sit back and laugh as Theo begs the City of Chicago for cash to rennovate the dump that is Wrigley Field.
Too bad the Cubs offer isnt even near that of the Cards or Marlins.
Theo begs the City of Chicago for cash to rennovate the dump that is Wrigley Field. A Dump? Are you Peter Gammons under an assumed name?
Always, remember: A wise person once said fake glasses and mustache fool no one! I think you’re Peter Gammons! =P
On a serious note the Cubs will probable get Prince Fielder.
I’ve been to Wrigley a few dozen times: it’s a dump. The field itself is great to be sure, but the structure is well past its design lifespan. You don’t see nets installed to prevent spalled concrete from falling on fans at may staduims around the league.
If you dont like Wrigley, dont come. It’s as simply as that.
oh i’ll go, just out of pure spite.
Theo begs the City of Chicago for cash to rennovate the dump that is Wrigley Field. A Dump? Are you Peter Gammons under an assumed name?
Always, remember: A wise person once said fake glasses and mustache fool no one! I think you’re Peter Gammons! =P
On a serious note the Cubs will probable get Prince Fielder.
How much would you like to bet that “Theo” (actually Ricketts or Crane Kenney, since Theo has nothing to do with things like that) gets that money? Why wouldn’t they want somebody else to pay for something if they can manage it?
Oh I get it, you’re just trying to troll Cubs fans. Alright then, enjoy.
Theo would have no involvement in the Cubs’ effort to lobby the City of Chicago? Laughable.
How much would you like to bet that “Theo” (actually Ricketts or Crane Kenney, since Theo has nothing to do with things like that) gets that money? Why wouldn’t they want somebody else to pay for something if they can manage it?
Oh I get it, you’re just trying to troll Cubs fans. Alright then, enjoy.
The Cards should withdraw their offer and let the Cubs take on the quarter billion dollar albatross. Then they can sit back and laugh as Theo begs the City of Chicago for cash to rennovate the dump that is Wrigley Field.
Albert Pujols is one cheeseburger away from making whatever lengthy contract he signs the worst contract of all time (including A-Rod’s contract from Texas).
Unless Pujols signs for more money than A-rod, nothing tops that deal. The Yankees were bidding against absolutely no one. And not to mention that was several years ago.
Not really, the Yanks revenue is much greater than the Cards or Marlins.
They still have hefty competition to sign Pujols, and even with that hefty competition, they’re not coming close to A-rod’s contract. No one was even bidding on A-Rod. They gave a bigger contract to him with absolutely zero competition.
I think the mystery team is the Nationals. if they were willing to give werth his contract, im sure they would be ok with paying pujols too.
Florida – no individual income tax
Missouri – 6% on income exceeding $9,000
St. Louis better beat Miami by at least $1,200,000 in AAV
Seriously… wow $12mm over the life of the contract. He is taking a hometown discount if the Cards just match and he accepts
Cost of living is outrageous in Miami compared to St. Louis….. offsets some of these $$$$.
Not to mention that pujols pays taxes in any city he travels to, to play a game.
Your talking 12 million!
I can’t honestly think that he will care too much what the cost of living is with millions of dollars sitting in his pocket at all times.
then why would he care about state tax????
That’s why Pujol’s mother lives there. Everything is nicer in Miami compared to St. Louis.
There is no guarantee that he moves his family to Miami. His daughter is going to one of the best schools in the nation for her condition. There is no guarantee that he can find proper care for her in Miami. Both he and his wife have lived in Missouri for most of their lives.
If he does not move, he pays income tax in Missouri anyway.
Many states require professional athletes and entertainers to pay taxes on income earned in those states. Therefore, he’d only be receiving the Florida individual income tax break on home games (or vs. TB). So really it would be more like $600,000 in AAV.
We’ve been through this many times, 81 home games no state tax. OK 6 million.
add Texas to that list.
The funny part about this ordeal is the actual “winner” here is going to be the loser when it’s all said and done…..
Yeah, 2016 any one of these teams will look back and say damn. 10 year contract for someone who’s 31?!?! Wow.
well, if the cards win another championship or 2 in the next 5 years, i dont think they will care about teh elder Pujols years. He should be breaking records during that period.
So are you saying if they don’t win another championship in the next 5 years, they will regret this contract.
probably.
hoping miami goes off to get pitching instead
The Cubs still involved? At this point, what would they need to offer to make a difference when you have two teams offering 10/$220? This rumor sounds more like fantasy baseball.
I know Albert wants over $200 mill guaranteed, but he should know that as time progresses, contracts get bigger. I think he should look a little more at the amount per year, because there are quite a few worse players out there making more than $22mill/year. I think the Cubs should offer 6 yrs/$26mill per year = $156 mill, 1 or 2 option years, and incentive bonuses for batting average, MVP, gold glove, All Star, etc. Personally, I’m a big fan of incentive based contracts, because it makes them earn their money and protects the team a little bit.
Seriously what I would love to know is what the hell is 37-38-39-40 year old Pujols going to be doing thats worth 20 mil a year? The Marlins are looking stupid out there, go after FIELDER and let the Cardinals make the mistake of signing a 31 yearold to a 10 year contract.
Doesn’t look too stupid to me. They’re jacking his price up. Pujols was likely to stay in St. Louis already, but this is assuring that it won’t be for cheap.
You think the Marlins are just jacking his price up with no intention of signing him? hahaha
Nowhere did I say anything like that. All I’m saying is that if they aren’t successful at signing him, there’s still a tremendous upside to going after him.
You said they are jacking his price up. They arent jacking up his price, they are trying to sign him. Well yea it shows they are willing to go after big time free agents even if they dont get him.
Yes, and in the process of trying to sign him, they are increasing the demand for him, which jacks up the asking price for him. Is that more clear for you?
Sure but thats not intentional thats just part of the process in any free agent negotiation. You made it seem like that was their sole purpose.
I’ll try to be more clear for you next time. It doesn’t really matter if it’s intentional or not. I guess I assumed you understood that the fact that they intend to sign him also does this.
It is somewhat different if it is intentional. It makes it noteworthy for very different reasons.
Can’t argue with that. But the original point still stands that there’s value in trying to sign him too. Especially the caliber of the player we’re talking about.
220 over 10 years is better than the 10 year 300mm deal that was rumored
well there’s a guy named barry bonds who holds the all time HR record….Im sure Albert will be interested in beating that.
Pujols will not break Bonds HR record, unless of course he starts taking roids. He’s not going to hit 40 HRs every year when he’s in his mid to late 30’s…
Yep, I want to Marlins to up the offer to 10 yrs/250 M so that Cards will match and have that albatross in the line up forever. I am a Reds fan and I hope he resigns with the cards..
Reds fan…. that explains your comments.
Marling should have went after Prince from the beinning. makes more sense since he is younger
Younger and should cost less. With Pujols its like paying for the brand name. I think the smartest thing the Marlins can do is just step back from both of them and go after pitching. Pitching is where they need help, their offense is already very good. Stanton has amazing power and there are plenty of people that can get on base before him. But if they really want to sign Fielder then its a far better option than Pujols. Perhaps they can then package Gaby Sanchez for a starter or a package around Logan Morrison to the Braves? Lots of good starters available through trade.
Hoping he stays, it’s really the best for both parties, however it was a lot of fun thinking about the possibility of him moving on to another team. (Not for St. Louis I’m sure).
good luck with that contract in 5 years from now! HEH!
Man. It’s crazy how the ARod contract taught the owners nothing. Given how much Pujols is bound to drop off, whichever team “wins” this is almost being punished long-term. Obviously Pujols is totally worth $22M now, and I’m definitely not saying he isn’t a great player. But even being conservative, he’ll be worth about $15M per season five years from now (when he’s ARod’s current age) and more like $5M in 2020 — if he’s even still playing at age 40.
So basically, you’re getting about $150-170M of value for $220M — which doesn’t look bad now but will seem as ridiculous as Alfonso Soriano’s contract starting in 2018 or so.
No ones contract will be worse then Sorianos/ARods , maybe zitos with an honorable mention to Wells , but essentially your paying pujols for 5 years of prime productions and 5 years of declining production , also the records hes bound to break will all be worth it , the only team it really makes sense for is STL it wouldnt be the same in a Marlins uniform breaking records and finally retiring as a cardinal.
He’s not getting A-rod’s contract, so nothing will ever be worse than that until someone outbids themselves worse than his contract. Of course it sucks to pay for Pujols during the decline years, but what are you expecting to happen? Teams aren’t going to get him for a five year contract right now. Otherwise a whole bunch of other teams would make the same offer and they’re just going to keep one upping each other until they get to a “ridiculous” contract anyhow. This is just what it’s going to take to get the guy. It’s not going to be perfect.
They can always hope he retires and leaves 22 million on the table for that last season. hahah
Pujols to the Cards, Fielder out of the NL Central = Cardinals 2012 division champs
Have fun with that GARBAGE contract for a person who really is 35 yrs old already. LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
lololol u mad? lololol
His two world series rings say hello.
22 million per year for Pujols to remain a icon and play his entire career in St. Louis is well worth it.. Ill enjoy watching Pujols crush more and more records in STL in the next 10 years. You can LOL all you want buddy but Pujols coming back means Cardinals will remain contenders for the next 4-5 years.
Marlins are still alive. Now is it a good contract?
I love it.. Handicap the cards spending for the next decade, good move birds. No one actually thought he would go to Miami, just keep jacking up the price.. Pujols is prob closer to 35 already so can’t wait to see what his production looks like in a few years. I thought he would want to play with Stanton, Reyes, Hanley, etc.. oh well
“No one actually thought he’d go to Miami, just keep jacking up the price ”
“I thought he’d want to play with Stanton, Reyes, Hanley ”
You sound bitter and confused.
Everyone thought he was going to Miami…. do you live in a closet? Jesus
Right after the 2011 World Series Pujols said “..it doesn’t matter the money you make. What matters is to raise that trophy and to be able to bring that smile to the city of St. Louis.” Albert Pujols has had the intention of signing with St. Louis the whole time. He says he wants to stay in St. Louis, he loves it there. I don’t understand the comparison between Pujols and Lebron James either. You cannot even begin to compare the two, maybe slightly because of their ability to dominate their respected sports, but Albert Pujols is much more respected than Lebron James ever will be. He doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink and if someone is smoking in the same room as him, he leaves! Albert doesn’t like to be called El Hombre, because he thinks that Stan can be the only “man” in St. Louis. Don’t worry Al, you will forever be Senor Octubre in St. Louis
To also add, they’ve won two championships with Pujols and have put a pretty good cast around him. The Cavs never put squat around Lebron and never demonstrated any ability to do so, which was plenty of reason for him to leave. There’s no lying or il-intent in Pujols saying it doesn’t matter how much money you make, because a guy like him is going to get paid either way.
slider32-
for a guy who’s already made well over $100 million and about to tack on more than $200 million after that, do you REALLY think that $6 million over the course of TEN YEARS is enough to uproot and move his entire family away from where they’ve spent half their lives? where Albert built a legacy and opened a restaurant? where he currently lives, and where his daughter will continue to stay even if he signs elsewhere?
you really think that?
Never been to his restaurant, but I hope it’s named something other than “Poo-holes”….
nyuk nyuk.
In all seriousness, I hope he stays with you cards.
Never been to his restaurant, but I hope it’s named something other than “Poo-holes”….
nyuk nyuk.
In all seriousness, I hope he stays with you cards.
Possibly. It is a lot of money. Even if you do make 100s of millions. Maybe he is ready for a change.
Albert will still hit the first HR in the Marlins new park.
Let’s not rub the salt in yet. They still got some heavy hitters in their lineup and could still get Prince. Besides, deal’s not official yet and if it was, it’s nice to have him in your lineup but it did cost a butt load of money.
I’m not rubbing anything in. The Marlins will be a force if they add a solid starter.
Let’s not rub the salt in yet. They still got some heavy hitters in their lineup and could still get Prince. Besides, deal’s not official yet and if it was, it’s nice to have him in your lineup but it did cost a butt load of money.
LOLOLOL awesomeness right there
Good to hear he’s staying if this is true. Albert needs to be a Card forever.
-Dodger fan
Good to hear he’s staying if this is true. Albert needs to be a Card forever.
-Dodger fan
i think this could be a good thing for the marlins. Sign buerhle and cj, trade nolasco and some of their best prospects for gio, and get a rotation of JJ, cj, buerhle, gio, and anibal. That is sick
he isn’t gonna go back to st louis.
I don’t think so either…
Where do you think he is going?
Well he will be going back where he belongs, i just wish that Gammons and many other reporters didnt say “The Marlins will end up with him” to get my hopes up. More reports have come out that they were just using us for more money, and the marlins and other teams want his agent investigated. 10 years of Albert would have been painful in the end, but i’ll admit it would have been VERY cool to have Albert in a Marlins uniform. I rather the truth have been told in the beginning though. Hope he realizes if it werent for the Marlins his deal would be much smaller.
If you’re a Marlins fan, then be glad if you don’t get him. You will love the deal for the first 5 years, and then you will be cursing the people that ever made this deal possible. Especially since the Marlins usually aren’t big spenders, so it would likely limit the potential of future free agent signings.
As much as I love Pujols, I do agree that his agent appears to be scum. Scott Boras may be evil and is able to get contracts that are no where near being market value, but Lozano appears to be scuzzy even beyond his negotiating tactics. I really hope that Pujols is simply oblivious to Lozano’s antics, otherwise I would lose a little respect for him for sticking with someone who seems as morally bankrupt as Lozano.
I do feel bad for the Marlins if this really was a tactic by Lozano to squeeze extra money from the Cards. I think you guys will be pretty good next year, though, as you can use the money you were going to give Pujols and get a starting pitcher or two and possibly still have money left over. Not sure you’ll overtake the Phillies next year, but you’ll probably at least be in the Wild Card hunt.
His agent is just doing his job and seemingly doing it well at that. This is how contract negotiations work.
I’m actually more disgusted about the alleged activities outside of his negotiating tactics. With Scott Boras, I hate him but can acknowledge that he’s good at getting people the absolute most money possible. Lozano, however, seems to be like Scott Boras with an added touch of sexual harassment, prostitution and alcoholism rumors. Nothing’s been proven, and there’s a chance that this is all a smear campaign from someone, but jeez the guy seems scuzzy.
Now, I do have a problem with agents in general, as I personally don’t like the idea of money being the absolute “be all, end all” in sports, but I know the overall opinions on that vary quite a bit.
@jred1979:disqus ludafish I agree with you on Gammons and others, they only report as they see it happen but there is nothing for the Marlins to investigate, they made the offer themselves with NO pressure. Miami will do fine for a couple of years and when they dont win
the division Reyes and everyone they sign will be gone, reason why they wont give NO Trade.
There is no reason to believe that anything they do will change, there trying to buy a winner
and when it does not work you can say goodbye to the whole team.
The Cards have been the favorite from the start, I don’t see what has changed.
So looks like Pujols stays, but he picked his team up by their ankles and shook every last penny out if them. Hope he is worth it…
what happened to “its not about the money, i just wanna win”
He won
Only a few million apart. Split the difference, and get it done!
“Pujols appears headed back to the Cardinals and the two sides are
believed to be only a few million dollars apart on a ten-year deal.”
So after all that, he’s gonna end up where he started. Sigh…would really have liked to see what he could have done for another franchise.
SIGNING WITH THE CARDINALS WILL MAKE HIM A LEGEND. Thats worth more than having the biggest contract.
Well, let’s not go crazy 🙂 But absolutely it’s important.
Pretty sure he’s going to be a legend regardless.
“only a few million dollars apart” I never thought “only” and “million” can be used together in the same sentence.
Buncha greedy bastards, the lot of them.
I know, because we would all play for free.
He wants more than $220MM?? Give me a break. Make a stand Mo. Take it or leave it Lozano.
Lol now that the Marlins have signed a pitcher, the Cardinals should try to remove a couple years from that offer.
This guy just wants more than A-roid, he most likely feels he is better then him, which is probably true.
Selfishly as a Cub fan, I like how this negotiation is playing out. But, I actually had a lot of respect for Pujols and it’s fading during this process. Part of me actually hopes that the Cardinals don’t blink and he signs anyways.
I also liked Pujols, but I really think that he and his agent was just stringing along the Marlins to bump up the Cardinals offer. I’m starting to think he never had any intention of leaving the Cards. But that’s ok, because they are putting all their eggs in 1 basket and aren’t going to be able to do much during the off-seasons in the future.
I’m not sure how this is “eggs in 1 basket”. Obviously this contract will be backloaded for years to come. No chance the Cards make this move without allowing room for future acquisitions – i.e. payroll increases. Latest reports stating deal is not for 10 years either.
Dipoto’s (Angels GM) focus may not be on Prince Albert…but Arte’s is!! Yankees and Red Sox out of the picture, such an impact meaning both on and off the field between competition, marketing, and the community, Arte is stopping at no end to get Pujols and a shock could be in store that he winds up in SoCal.
You can wake up now…
Are you sleep-typing?
Maybe, but then there’s the latest rumor, am I still dreaming?
This deal is likely front loaded, so I really doubt he’ll even be getting paid 18 mil in the final 2-3 years of the deal. Might even get around 30mil the first three years.
the greed is a little much…I know its negotiating but c’mon.
I am honestly surprised St. Louis hasn’t resigned him yet. 2011 started with talks that his goal was to beat A-Rod’s deal and that he wants negotiations to START at 10/$300 million, or at least something near $30 million annually.
2011 was an absolute GODSEND for the Cardinals. They won the WS while Pujols struggled early and got hurt, driving down his price. 10/$220 million is a fantastic deal for the team. Even if he wants to bump that to $230-250 million, it is MUCH better than what was expected, so they need to just jump on that.
“10/220 million is a fantastic deal for the team”
When is a 10 year contract for 220 MILLION ever FANTASTIC for anyone? Have fun with your very productive 20 million dollar 38 yearold St. Louis, morons.
Pretty much when he averages probably $30 million+ in WAR every season.
2011 was his second-lowest $ value, according to FanGraphs, and that was $22.8 million. Now I don’t submit to FG’s idea that a win is worth $4.47 million.
(I did a PowerPoint on this a year and a half ago, and the average cost per win was $1,092,753.07, but seeing as players in their first 2-3 years of team control are gossly underpaid, it should be higher. Realistically, maybe $2.5-3.5 million is abotu right. Even then, Pujols’ average $ value per season would be $24.03 million. Without his anomalous 2011, it averages out to $25 million EXACTLY, and with inflation, that number should hold steady or go up a bit before he really declines.)
Basically, he’s worth the money he gets and then some.
Yes he’s worth the money ( for now ) but, you’re leaving out the important factor. What is he worth in 5 years? The only thing that makes this “okay” is that it’s Stl. and that they wont kick themselves for signing their hero to a dumb contract.
The thing is, that’s how every major contract works in baseball. What do you think Jose Reyes will be worth in 6 years? C.J. Wilson in 5-6? Jeter in 3? A-Rod in 6-7?
Who gets a big contract like this that is worth it at the end? NO ONE.
Teams are of the mindset that it’s worth it to pay Pujols $10 million above market in 10 years to pay him $10 million below it now, which never made sense to me.
I think pretty much all contracts should be front-loaded, if you’re smart, but teams rarely are. The Bulls signed Kirk Hinrich to a front-loaded deal a couple or a few years ago, and I looked at that wondering “why doesn’t everyone do that?”
Teams suck at paying a player what he’s worth in the peresent OR the future. Really, tohugh, Pujols will probably still be worth about $12-15 million at the end of this deal, and might be worth $22 million at 36 or so, IMO.
Well for one, Reyes’s contract wasn’t 10 years and C.J Wilson isn’t 31. I strongly agree that if Pujols contract wasn’t frontloaded than the team signing him is making a huge mistake. What are the Cards going to do when they’re paying Holliday and Pujols 40 mil a year and can’t improve their ballclub?
Umm..? C.J. Wilson was born November 28, 1980. He is EXACTLY 31 years old.
As far as Reyes, he has a much longer injury history this season than Pujols does in his career, haha. I expect Reyes to age much worse than Pujols will. I would legitimately say Pujols has 4 more years in him than Reyes does, even at an older age.
The thing with Holliday, I agree on. To add, you have Wainwright needing more money in a couple of season, and about that time, Garcia will be up for arbitration/an extention, as will Freese, as will Jay.
St. Louis is either going to need a richer owner or several deep postseason runs to afford this team.
Agree with everything besides the fact Garcia has already been locked up to a pretty team friendly deal.
Yes he’s worth the money ( for now ) but, you’re leaving out the important factor. What is he worth in 5 years? The only thing that makes this “okay” is that it’s Stl. and that they wont kick themselves for signing their hero to a dumb contract.
I’m not defending the numbers we’ve heard on a potential Pujols contract; they’re silly-expensive and the risk for the vast majority of teams in baseball really should just be too great to pull the trigger.
But I do want to point out that most of the concern thus far takes the form of “oh, he’ll decline with age.” Yeah, he will — but how much? He has already proven himself to be one of the best players of all time and his “slowed down” production is still among the most elite on the market. Why is it not possible that he will defy the aging curve as well? Sure, he’ll decline somewhat, but it’s quite possible that he will end up being an elite producer at the end of the contract as well. His worth is so ridiculous right now that he could lose half of it and still be reasonably paid and highly productive.
im sick of hearing about pujols..quit being a chump and resign with the cardinals already
I need something to complain about. Please just sign with the Yankees.
Pujols to the Braves jk.Joke a side as good of player that Pujols is near he or anyone else is worth 200 Mill.What next someone in the next 5 years will sign a deal for 1billion
Bryce Harper will probably be eligible for free agency after 2018… so maybe six years, but yeah, ridiculous, isn’t it?
Don’t believe the latest report that other teams are talking to Pujols’s agent. He’s trying to gain some leverage now that the Marlins are out. Apparently the Cards only offered him a 9 year deal it seems…
Surprised it took so long…..
So cards can lower their offer back to 189 million?
There’s apparently two other offers over $200
There aren’t. That’s his agent trying to drive up the price.
I think the two remaining teams considering Pujols are St. Louis and Anaheim.
I’m imagining waking up tomorrow to ORIOLES SIGN PUJOLS. Funny stuff, funny stuff.
I imagine the Cubs, Angels, and some bird-themed team are Pujols’ other options. Here’s rooting for the Angels and getting Pujols out of the NL!
The Tokyo Yakult Swallows?
OMG enough already with this “he has 3 offers on the table”. i call BS, this is just stuff his agent is planting around to get the cardinals to up the stakes a bit more. There is no doubt in my mind he is staying in SL. They are just strining everyone along trying to get the most money. Boras would be proud.
I think Nightingale works for Lazano.
I just KNEW that Loria’s refusal to add NTC’s wouldn’t sway every player to come play for them.
WOW! That was unexpected!!!
So half a percent of what Pujols will make over the next ten years will amount to more money than I’ll probably ever even see.
At once or over your life time? I sure hope you mean at once because otherwise you are not making minimum wage. Most people will never see 500,000 at once.
Cardinals will announce Albert signing tomorrow at 9 am central. Furcall will be signed by Christmas for 8 million for 2 years.
I’d say the 3 remaining teams with $200 MM offers are STL, Anaheim and Cubs.
Oboi, mystery teams!
For everyone saying a 22-25 per year contract is “outrageous” , think again… In the past 2 months I have seen just about everyone on this site talking about a 30 per year and lets face it, anyone on this site would love to have Albert play on their team. Lets not forget that Albert is clutch and very intimidating at the plate.. We all have seen what the guy can do during the playoffs.. he’s the only guy I can think of who has actually ruined a pitchers career for a few years with just one swing (Lidge). Thats what you are paying for.
Yes but to offer that much for a player that the contract ends into his 40’s is nutz….especially if that team doesn’t have a DH….the days of players getting better after 35 are over w/ drug testing….the signing team better make soooo much off him in his 1st 5 yrs to cover their loss in the 2nd 5 yrs to hopefully break even on his contract…
Matt Stairs killed Broxton.
And Stairs>Pujols
laughed out loud in a library…
You flip flop more than a politician in your words. You were shunning this contract the Marlins were about to take on this morning, now you are justifying it.
Biased…
Hire Boras as your agent, and a mystery team bids on you. Hire Lazano, and you get TWO mystery teams!
and a truck full of girls
Truck full of H00kers… dont be a jerk
“Marlins people are saying they withdrew their offer to Pujols, not the other way around, ”
You can’t fire me, I quit!
The Marlins are out on ANY other big dollar FA. With Bell, Reyes & Buehrle their 2012 payroll is already over $110 million after Beinfest said they wouldnt go over $100 million.
Even with a new stadium sold out every day, their revenue will only support a $80-90 million per year payroll. There is no way they can hang on to the guys they just signed for more than a year or two.
Chances are they will have to trade away Ramirez this offseason and possibly another player or two.