Baseball is a numbers game, whether you're talking about home runs, on-base percentage or xFIP. It's also a numbers game off the field when it comes to players' contracts. Some deals are entirely predictable. Shin-Soo Choo, for example, will likely earn $3-4MM through arbitration next year; Carl Pavano will probably sign for about $10MM per season; Russell Branyan's likely in line for another one-year deal.
But most of the comparable players for Albert Pujols are in Cooperstown, not in uniform. So determining a fair price for the 30-year-old will be a unique challenge for Cardinals GM John Mozeliak and agent Dan Lozano. Quite simply, there is not much precedent for Pujols.
Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Howard signed contracts that could come up in talks between Pujols' representatives and his team. Both Rodriguez and Howard are former MVPs who signed long-term deals that begin with their age-32 seasons. Pujols, who has three MVP trophies on his mantle, will be 32 in 2012, which would be the first season of a potential new deal.
Howard, a tremendous player who isn't on the same level as Pujols, received $125MM for his age 32-36 seasons. Rodriguez, an all-time great who was arguably the best player in the game when he signed his extension, will make an average of $27.5MM per season (plus bonuses) for his age 32-41 seasons.
Rodriguez and Howard aren't perfect matches for Pujols, but few other contemporary players even compare. Baseball-Reference lists Ken Griffey Jr., Manny Ramirez and Juan Gonzalez as similar batters to Pujols through age 30. Seven Hall of Famers including Lou Gehrig, Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle fill out the top ten list of his most statistically comparable players.
In other words, Pujols is in select company. Not only is the nine-time All-Star and two-time defending NL home run champion one of the best players of his generation, he's one of the best players of all time.
A similar argument led Rodriguez to the two biggest contracts in baseball history. But A-Rod hadn't won a World Series with the Yankees or endeared himself to their fans when he signed his most recent contract.
Pujols, on the other hand, defines the Cardinals much like Derek Jeter defines the Yankees. The Cards developed Pujols after drafting him in the 13th round of the 1999 draft (when Mozeliak was the team's scouting director). Five years later, the Cardinals were in the World Series and in 2006 the team won its first world title since 1982.
Pujols means more to the Cardinals now than A-Rod did to the Yankees in 2007, but Rodriguez does have one considerable advantage over the Cardinals' 6'3" slugger: he plays a more demanding defensive position. Not only that, the Yankees have the option of working Rodriguez's bat into the lineup as a DH at the end of his deal, but the Cardinals will have to play Pujols on the field for the life of his extension, even if his now-stellar glovework deteriorates.
As tempting as it is to compare Pujols to Rodriguez, Howard and various historical players, it doesn't make much sense to do so. The Cardinals don't have as much money as the Yankees and the sides could get creative with incentives and performance bonuses to ensure that the star first baseman stays put. Not much is certain about Pujols' demands or the Cardinals' willingness to spend, but we can say this: Pujols is on track to become an inner-circle Hall of Famer and it would not be unreasonable for him to ask for an Alex Rodriguez-like contract.
He’s the one player I think is 100% worth whatever he gets. He has NEVER batted under .300 and plays good solid defense.
Alberts “worsts” in each category:
Games: 143
PA: 634
AB: 524
R: 99
H: 177
2B: 33
3B: 0
HR: 32
RBI: 103
BA: .312
OBP: .394
SLG: .561
OPS: .955
OPS+ 151
WAR: 5.8
So, taking his worst totals of each individual statistic in his career…he’s easily an All-Star and possible MVP candidate.
Great stats. I was going to go more in depth but I didn’t think there was any need.
The Cardinals can afford to pay him like A-Rod . A ten year extension @ $30MM is still a bargain, for a guy who does everything well and represents Baseball so positively.
even defer some of the money to give him more of a security thought. say a 10 year playing contract with a total payment over 15-18 years with no interest.
There’s no way the Cardinals or anyone else gives Pujols a 10 year contract. Not even Pujols deserves superstar money in his 40’s, and only the Yankees, who already have a long-term first baseman, can afford (or are stupid enough) to do that.
are you kidding or are you for real? If he were to sign a 10 year contract by opening day for the cards he would only be 41 when it runs out. And if he signed it in FA with another team he would be at worst 42 when the contract runs out. He is the single best hitter of this generation. He is a once in a life time player and there has not been a hitter like him in a few decades. He is also one of the best defenders of his time and one of the single best defending first basemen of all time. He will go down in history as the best first basemen ever to play the game. Of course he deserves to be paid superstar money. It is not stupid at all to give a guy who worst year ever since playing full time was still what many players call career bests that kind of contract. He will alone put people in the seats. He can single handedly make a team better and he is a great club house guy and gives back to the community all the time. He is one of the best character guys in the game. Yes the yankees may have tex at 1st but if albert was a FA i would not at all be surprised to see the yankees go after him and play out one of these two situations.the rotate DH and 1st or one plays first the other plays left field. Boston could go after him slotting him and adrian(assuming they extend him) at 1st/dh/and in front of the green monster. The o’s could go after him(they were huge players in the tex sweepstakes) and could give him time off at DH. Texas could go after him, the angles, the mariners(and give up on smoak) just about ever AL team would be in play for him….well every AL team that could afford that. Heck the whitesox could move dunn to left, PK to DH and Albert to 1st. there are enough options all over the league for him and those are just the AL teams. look for the cubs, dodgers, mets, maybe the braves(if they dont like freedman enough) to go after him. He could easily get 10 years and no gm would feel bad about it….in fact if there was a GM that offered him 7-9 years and alberts agent said “make it ten and he is yours” and the GM didnt do it, said GM should for sure get fired.
Yes, Pujols is one of the all-time greatest hitters (although you’re overrating his defense; he’s gold-glove caliber, but not historically good defensively), but even he won’t be a superstar in his 40’s. Father time affects everybody. Only the Yankees (and neither Pujols nor Tex would accept moving from 1B) would do something so stupid. Besides, some of those teams you mentioned can’t afford Pujols, anyway.
are you kidding or are you for real? If he were to sign a 10 year contract by opening day for the cards he would only be 41 when it runs out. And if he signed it in FA with another team he would be at worst 42 when the contract runs out. He is the single best hitter of this generation. He is a once in a life time player and there has not been a hitter like him in a few decades. He is also one of the best defenders of his time and one of the single best defending first basemen of all time. He will go down in history as the best first basemen ever to play the game. Of course he deserves to be paid superstar money. It is not stupid at all to give a guy who worst year ever since playing full time was still what many players call career bests that kind of contract. He will alone put people in the seats. He can single handedly make a team better and he is a great club house guy and gives back to the community all the time. He is one of the best character guys in the game. Yes the yankees may have tex at 1st but if albert was a FA i would not at all be surprised to see the yankees go after him and play out one of these two situations.the rotate DH and 1st or one plays first the other plays left field. Boston could go after him slotting him and adrian(assuming they extend him) at 1st/dh/and in front of the green monster. The o’s could go after him(they were huge players in the tex sweepstakes) and could give him time off at DH. Texas could go after him, the angles, the mariners(and give up on smoak) just about ever AL team would be in play for him….well every AL team that could afford that. Heck the whitesox could move dunn to left, PK to DH and Albert to 1st. there are enough options all over the league for him and those are just the AL teams. look for the cubs, dodgers, mets, maybe the braves(if they dont like freedman enough) to go after him. He could easily get 10 years and no gm would feel bad about it….in fact if there was a GM that offered him 7-9 years and alberts agent said “make it ten and he is yours” and the GM didnt do it, said GM should for sure get fired.
30MM is a bargain in the first 5 years, but in the last 5 years does he perform like Griffey (suckish) or Hank Aaron? If the former, you are paying 30MM per year for Rick Ankiel.
I’m hoping for an incentive-packed contract. That way he gets paid based on actual performance not a projection that is 10 years old.
Albert Pujols will be able to get guaranteed money, don’t kid yourself with the hopes of an incentive laden package. It should be easy to defer his money though.
My favorite Pujols stat: 646 strikeouts, 914 walks. Clearly the best hitter of his generation.
He’s going to go down as one of the best hitters of all time when it’s all said and done. Great to see something like this.
I know the Cards and Al have been discussing extensions completely under the radar for about a week now but how close do you guys really think they are to an agreement or at least an answer to an extension?
Before people throw out ridiculous 300m+ numbers, might I remind everyone that even though he may be “worth” that much money, lets be realistic, it would be a very irresponsible decision to tie up that much money in one player. You guys can fanboy out all you want, but I’m betting he signs a “modest” 8 year deal in the 160-175 range.
Yea that’s what people said about Mauer too. Hometown boy, developed in-house, poster boy for all that’s right in baseball…
Everyone said, “Oh he’ll give em some kind of hometown discount,” but that didn’t happen at all. After seeing that play out, I’m EXTREMELY skeptical that Pujols, who’s looking at $30MM a year will take $20MM/year instead…
i’m pretty confident that if Mauer hit the open market in this offseason, he would have gotten A-rod money in his first contract. In that sense, he did take a discount.
Mauer has absolutely no power!! how can he possibly be as valuable as Pujols?
He plays at a position where there are hardly any premium players, and he’s also great at where he plays.
can you name me one other catcher who is remotely close to Mauer’s offense? .320 hitting catchers capable of OPSing .900 are once in a generation. Actually, its never happened until Mauer, least not on a perennial basis.
the funny thing is over the past few years…like since 03…mauer yes has been the best catcher over all but AJP and Brian McCan have been the other two in the top 3 of offensive catchers and they got nothing close to the mauer deal
can you name me one other catcher who is remotely close to Mauer’s offense? .320 hitting catchers capable of OPSing .900 are once in a generation. Actually, its never happened until Mauer, least not on a perennial basis.
As ideal as that sounds, hes not going to get paid 20 million a year for eight years when Ryan Howard is getting 25 for 5.. Im just being “modest” as well here. If anything like that happens it will be a 6-7 year around 200 million. Wow thats a butt load of money when you think about it.. its just numbers to us but damn Albert better have some deep pockets for that kind cash.
It sure would be irresponsible but that’s how the market shaped itself. It is what is is. Albert is the best player in the game right now, as was A-Rod when he signed his contract. He’s going to get paid. 200M seems like the starting point over 10 years. They’ll work from there. If he wants to go lower in terms of money, good for him. He’s helping the team in the long run.
the Cardinals can afford him but will need to raise payroll to the $110-$115 M per year to remain competitive. Something they have not been willing to do. I know St. Louis and the fans will support a ticket price increase if it means keeping Pujols around for the rest of his career. The Cards owners have been a bit greedy over the years, but that has changed in the last two or three. This bodes well for getting a deal done. Not to mention there are only a handful of clubs that could afford to match a contract this big and have a spot to play Pujols. Thinking the Cubs and the Angels. I am thinking an 8 year, $225 Million deal will get it done with a considerable amount deferred.
And Mets. Don’t think Ike Davis is blocking Albert Pujols.
Unlikely considering the current management.
@ The_Birds I think and my gut says he will announce a signing by the winter warm up, which is this weekend, I hope I am right !
That would be nice and I hope they get it done by then
hell no! i want him in chicago!!!
Keep Dreamin…
hahahahaha
Highly doubt that…I can’t think of a major signing they’ve announced there. The deal need to be done before opening day — look for a March announcement, especially considering we open at home.
The Cards will have the money to resign him, but won’t be able to resign Carpenter as well.
agreed. But he will be over 36 at that time and will need to lock up Wainwright. Will need the minor league talent to start stepping up by then.
Yeah I hope Miller and Martinez start to pan out by then.
as long as Dave Duncan is still there, they will
My guess is they don’t even pick up Carp’s option after this season. they can’t. I’m not saying they should resign Carp. Interesting enough, I wonder how his contract is structured? If they pick up his option for 2012 but can’t afford him with the Pujols extension, can they trade him before the 2012 season starts? Next offseason is again extremely weak in starting pitching and he would be a valuable one year gamble even at 16MM with Cards possibly chippin in a little cash to a lot of teams that would be able to afford him in 2012, i.e. the Mets, Yanks, Tigers, ect. They would still probably be able to get a good prospect for him, assuming he pitches well again this season.
I agree. At his age, he’s not going to be an elite pitcher for much longer, anyway. Hopefully, Shelby Miller will be ready to take his rotation spot in 2012, allowing us to avoid the starting pitching free agent and trade markets completely next offseason.
Thats fine with me cuz I do believe Mr. Mark Buehrle will take a discount and replace Carp when the time comes..he claims to “retire” soon but an opportunity to play for his hometown birds will change his mind.
I agree Buerhrle wants to go back home and will give the Cards a big time discount.
The problem is that he has been an average pitcher at best over the past few years. Carpenter has been one of the best in the N.L.
He’ll likely have to wait until 2013. We’ve already got the other 4 signed or under control until at least 2012, and Shelby Miller will probably be ready to take Carp’s open spot.
yeah pretty much. Unless they give him a 2 year extension for 30million and backload it until the Lohse shackle..err deal is gone. Though i don’t want to see them backload anything to a 37 year old, bad idea.
I can see a Wainwright, Garcia, Miller and Martinez starting 4 with a veteran free agent supplementing them. With Carp and Lohse off the books, that money will go towards Pujols, Waino and other gap fillers. The core of Holliday, Pujos and Waino should be around for 8 plus years.
Lance Lynn is thought of to be a joe blanton type back of the rotation filler. He will probably be the #5.
The Cards hurt themselves a little when they bid against themselves on Holliday. The extra money could have been used elsewhere.
Yeah but you also dont want to underbid and him either be unhappy or take a 1 year deal somewhere else. Do you think Holliday is better or worse than Werth. I think he is better especially considering the fact werth has played in a ballpark where the balls fly out and he would bat 6th majority of the time. Holliday had always been a #4 or 3 hitter. So considering how both deal came out Holliday is actualy much more of a bargain.
But St. Louis was bidding against themselves. Werth had other teams very interested. The Nats needed to make a splash to get Washington on the map for big time free agents and that’s what they did. They overpaid to land a big name because other players felt the Nats weren’t serious. So they say hey, let’s throw 126M at Werth. Sure, it’s a bit overpriced for Werth but money wasn’t an issue in this deal. The Cards have limited payroll and with Pujols almost a lock to make 25M+ a year, you need to save in every area you can if you have a 100M payroll. That’s what the Cards failed to do.
Edit – Don’t get me wrong, other teams were interested in Holliday just not at the price he was demanding.
I can agree with what your saying. And I completely understand why the Ntas overpaid, I just thought it was kind of dumb for them since their core is much younger than werth, but that is a different story. But they way I look at it is 17M(actually 15M after deffered money) a year for Holliday will be a bargain even with a 30M contract with Pujols once the money tied up in Lohse and Carp are no longer an issue. But the cards have held a payroll under 100M because they front loaded their loan on the stadium and since they are through the heavy portions of payments it would not surprise me to see their payroll reach 110M-115M. But I completely understand what you are saying and I do not really disagree with it.
The way I heard it, it’s not that they were bidding against themselves. They just didn’t want to insult and/or upset Holliday by forcing him into a below-market deal.
I think the sides can work out a deal that is good for both of them. However, it will come down to Pujols. He is in the drivers seat. If he wants to stay a Cardinal then it will happen. If he wants to be paid fair market value … I’m skeptical that it will work out for St Louis.
Let’s say that he does want to stay. Here is the type of deal that I would offer:
Years 1 – 5 … $30m
Years 6 – 8 … $25m guaranteed – another $8m in performance incentives
Years 9+ … recurring vesting option of $25m + incentives based on PA’s
That would give Pujols a salary range of 8/$225 all the way to something like 10/$315 (assuming he can play for 10 years and maximizes his bonuses).
Pujols would be the highest AAV player and have the potential to earn the highest overall contract ever. Should he break down around his age 40 season the cards have some protection with the vesting options.
There are other ways to sweeten the pot with NTC’s, suites at the ballpark, travel for his family, etc.
Personally, there is no way that I would consider paying his 10/$300m but I’m willing to bet that some GM would. The proposal above does a good job of paying Pujols a ton of money but at the same time limiting risk.
I don’t think so. I maintain that only the Yankees, who can’t be bidders for Pujols, would guarentee superstar money to a player in his 40’s.
I can see the fiscal comparison to A-Rod but the performance comparison? I do believe Pujols did it without chemical enhancements. I’m sure the Cards will eventually extend his contract. What a marvelous hitter.
I do believe Pujols did it without chemical enhancements.
doesn’t matter. A-rod was paid for his performance at the time.
I know this is strange to say as a cardinal fan, but when comparing Pujols to A-rod, one has to remember when A-rod signed, he was a fully capable shortstop and then became a good third baseman. Shortstop is a prime position and he should have stayed if not for his Captain, Pujols is a first baseman. A good one mind you, but still the opposite of prime position. In that sense, he is worth less money than A-rod, but i won’t be the least bit shocked if he matched or topped his deal.
Keep in mind that if his elbow hadn’t been damaged, there’s a good chance that he’s still a third baseman or outfielder.
If there is someone worth $30m million a year it is Puljois. I am not an advocate of todays salaries, but if AROD and Tex are valued at $25mil than Albert is worht $30. He has it all over those tow in spades.
By the way I am not a St lous fan just a baseball fan.
Here’s why Alex deserved to get paid more.
— He was going to be 25, yes 25, in the first year of his contract. Pujols will be 32. SEVEN years is a huge gap.
— In A-Rod’s first 5 seasons he posted 2 years where he nearly reached 10 WAR. A 3rd year where he was almost 9 WAR. And a couple down years at only 5 WAR. Again, all before his age 25 season.
— A-Rod is a shortstop. The gap between him and anyone else playing that position was the size of the Grand Canyon.
— He was coming off a year where he posted a 316/420/606 … good for 433 wOBA / 163 wRCA+ / 163 OPS+.
— He was averaging around 25 SB’s, was a + runner, and anywhere from solid to + glove at SS.
….
— Pujols will be older. Much older. Pujols has a longer track record than A-Rod and has been more consistent (hasn’t dipped below 7.3 WAR since 2002). Pujols plays the easiest position in baseball at 1st base. He does posses a + glove but that is nowhere near as valuable as a solid glove at SS. Decent baserunner. He’s coming off a worse year than A-Rod’s walk year. He has been dogged with little injuries. Not many people think his age is 100% accurate.
Right now, if A-Rod is 25 and hitting the FA market and Pujols is 32 and hitting the FA market I would definitely give the fatter contract to A-Rod … and it’s not particularly close. Understand that I HATE A-Rod. The dude is a tool. I love Pujols. That said, you can’t take anything away from A-Rod at the time he signed his first contract in Texas.
I agree A-Rod deserves his boatload of money, but why are you using A-Rod’s first contract as a comparison? His second one, signed after his age 31 season, is the relevant one to Pujols’ situation. In 2007, he had just had a 9.9 WAR, MVP season as a third basemen (though he could probably play SS), but had yet again fluffed in the post-season and was not universally accepted as a Yankee. With Pujols’ stunning consistency, I’m not so sure A-Rod is the more deserving, though your case has some merit.
Pujols’s documentation was good enough to get him U.S. citizenship. There’s no reason to doubt his age anymore.
The Cardinals have to know that a team with cash to burn and a love of overpaying, like DC, will be happy to offer Pujols 8/256 or even 9/275.
On the other hand, everybody knows that Pujols has to stay with the Cardinals. He’s an icon. He’s a legend. It would be like Michael Jordan joining the Wizards, but in 1996.
10 years 30 mil??? He will be in his 40s when its over, that puts half that 10 year extension into his late 30s!! He will never get that from anyone, EXCEPT the cards, and thats only if theyre committed to keeping him his entire career. 10 year etension will only be given to a guy in his early or mid 20s. Hes worth 30 mil now, but at age 39? Who knows? Huge risk!! 7 years tops for him, maybe 6
Who would have thought locking up the games best player could be a potential burden?
The Nationals would definitely give Pujols 10 years – they gave Werth 7! Oh, and this “Huge risk!!” is the best hitter in the last 20-30 years.
The Nationals would definitely give Pujols 10 years – they gave Werth 7! Oh, and this “Huge risk!!” is the best hitter in the last 20-30 years.
Albert Pujols has made less money in his entire career than A-Rod has made in his past three seasons. This guy has A LOT of money coming to him.
Agreed. The Cards have been getting the best bargain in baseball over the past 5 years in what they have paid Pujols.
I don’t think anyone would blame him for wanting a “fair market value” contract.
I think the advantage he will give St. Louis is that if they offer “fair market value” to him, he’ll take it.
If they low-ball him, then the biggest free agent chase in baseball history may begin.
Past 5 years? In 2003, when he won the batting title by hitting over .350, hit 43 HRs, and finished an easy 2nd to Bar-roid Bonds for MVP, he only made $900K.
One thing we know for sure about the ARod contract is that is was a bad deal the day he signed it (that is, the Yankees negotiated against themselves and it is likely that no team was willing to come within $100 million of it) and it’s only gotten more silly since. If Pujols is going to get ARod cash, history suggests that the buyer best beware.
Obviously, the Mets are going to get him.
Pujols contract value will be determined by the market. $300 million over 10 years seems unlikely to me. Who are the Cards bidding against?
this was also my thoughts. There is no Yankees, most likely no Angels with Morales, Mets maybe but if there in rebuild mode, might as well stick with Ike. Red Sox have Agonz, whose left? Nationals? Orioles? Mariners? Cubs lol? The market just isn’t ripe for him to get 300million
If I’m not mistaken, the Red Sox have not extended A-Gon yet, and if this Pujols thing doesn’t pan out, I think they would try for Pujols. I mean, A-Gon is a talent but not like Albert.
AGon has not been extended, the Red Sox I am afraid are lions in the grass.
Everyone knows they’re only waiting for the luxury tax deadline to pass to make the extension official. If they back out on it, they could get sued.
AGon has not been extended, the Red Sox I am afraid are lions in the grass.
If Pujols were to hit FA? The Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and probably 6-7 other teams who recognize a once-in-a-generation talent when they see it.
it doesn’t matter if he is once in a generation if you have no room for him or the financial flexibility. A-rod was a once in a generation talent to hit the open market but guess what, the only team to aggressively pursue him were the Yankees and Red Sox because they were the only ones able to afford him. Now even those two teams don’t have any space at first base/DH.
But don’t you think almost any club with the ability to pay would make room for a talent like Pujols? I would trade any 1B in MLB – Tex, Howard, Fielder, whoever – if it meant penciling this guy into my lineup 155 games a year.
And what are the chances that those huge contracts could actually be traded? Almost zilch.
AGon a type A free agent so they get draft picks and they are the number one contender to get Pujols, and I have a feeling they wouldnt take long to dump the amount of 100 bills needed on his doorstep to play in Boston, seriously, they are waiting, and I bet even AGon sees it.
The Red Sox had been trying to acquire Adrian Gonzalez for years. They finally got their man. A very plausible explanation for the lack of contract extension is the luxury tax loophole. I think the Red Sox front office was well aware of Pujols’ free agency year throughout the entire process.
I understand fans salivating at the prospect of the best hitter in the game joining their team, but I really think Pujols will stay with the Cardinals.
I know how long the Sox wanted AGon, because they wanted a good 1b along the likes of Texiera who they lost out on, but seriously as hard as they did to push him along I bet they are watching this more than anyone knows, and I am by no means a homer, I am pretty fair balanced in every team, which is why I also mentioned the Brewers as potential teams who have a good 1st baseman but have an opportunity to be major players in the potential Pujols sweepstakes.
The Brewers? They can’t even afford to extend Fielder, so how could they possibly afford Pujols?
You are talking about a huge financial commitment from teams who have very talented first basemen (Red Sox and Yankees) and will be looking to address other needs. If they add Pujols, they will have less flexibility to address those needs and have to trade a large contract. I’m not seeing how this would help either team. Even for a once-in-a-generation talent.
Negotiating with the Cardinals for a contract extension right now, the potential market will change the leverage that Pujols’ agent has available.
In a word….everyone.
That’s silly, small to mid-market teams would be crippled by the contract and wouldn’t be able to build a team around him.
So no, not everyone.
The Brewers and the Cardinals are in the same market I believe, and as the Nationals proved to everyone, teams that are weak have money and you just dont pass up an opportunity to get arguably the best player in baseball, this isnt some fluke career year or some young flame thrower, this is the guy whos nickname should be Mr. Consistency because since 2001 he consistently put up MVP caliber numbers.
The Brewers are obviously not in the same market when they can’t even afford to extend Fielder.
I can’t afford $25,000 for a Kia … but I can afford $35,000 for a Mercedes.
The only way this possibly makes sense is if you really don’t want a Kia, which is not true with the Brewers and Fielder.
That’s silly, small to mid-market teams would be crippled by the contract and wouldn’t be able to build a team around him.
So no, not everyone.
In a word….everyone.
Cubs, Dodgers, Angels, And Mets for starters.
What about Mark Teixeira? Even if the Yankees were to lure Pujols and switch A-Rod to DH, they still have Tex to deal with. Perhaps a blockbuster trade? Perhaps a return to the Angels for Jered Weaver and prospects? Maybe the Orioles will jump on that. Who knows? One thing though is that if AGon is extended, that means neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox have a real need at 1B, unless they intend on making a deal. Which means the market could open up for Pujols to sign elsewhere, if he doesn’t stay in St. Louis, which I think he will.
only problem with this is that 1) Weaver is worth more than Tex at his current price and 2) Tex has a no trade clause.
Too bad for the Yankees. With the exception of the second ha;f of 2009, Tex hasn’t exactly dazzled NY fans.
If the Yankees signed Pujols and Tex was told he wasn’t starting at 1b and would be part of the DH by committee group I am sure he would waive that NTC.
If Tex is another .250 hitter who only pulls the ball into the shift again this season I can see a scenario where the Yankees look to eat some of the money and move him if Pujols is on the open market. The Yankees aren’t paying Texiera to hit .250 and go into dreadful offense killing slumps like clockwork every year. It’s clear to many they overpaid him. The only saving grace is they won a title with him in year one of the contract so that buys him some time.
Still, if Pujols ever made it to free agency you can be sure the Yankees will be bidding on him. He’s the star attraction in MLB. The Yankees need stars, especially with Jeter’s star fading and Arod being a steroid tainted celebrity more than a baseball star at this point.
I hope the Cards sign him and give him what he’s earned. He is the St. Louis Cardinals at this point and he deserves every penny and then some.
Come on! Tex’s contract would be impossible to move, especially if he only hits around .250 again this upcoming season.
Biggest thing is IF they extend AGon, which they obviously haven’t done yet, they get AGon for one year and get type A draft pick compensation and they are in the mix for him, the Cardinals would be foolish to let this happen…
Werth got 7 years Crawford got 8 you can’t give this guy 10? He has been vastly underpaid if you are to go by stats. If Mets had Doubleday as the owner instead of Mutt and Jeff, he would be wearing a Met uniform next year no doubt but with these 2 owning the team they might bring back Delgado.
What world are you living in, mate?
Sounds like he is living on a planet called “Reality”
You have to keep age in mind. A 10 year deal wouldn’t expire until he’s 41. That’s just stupid.
Ferrariman, how long have you been Pujols agent? Just curious…
well agents are supposed to endorse there clients and make them sound bigger than the world, I’ve sort of done the opposite on this thread so not sure where your coming from.
well agents are supposed to endorse there clients and make them sound bigger than the world, I’ve sort of done the opposite on this thread so not sure where your coming from.
Pujols is the type of player whose value goes far beyond his stats. He is a superstar of the highest order. St. Louis should pay him whatever it takes to keep him a Cardinal for life. What players daily presence has sold more tickets or made more money for their team than Pujols?
Pujols is the type of player whose value goes far beyond his stats. He is a superstar of the highest order. St. Louis should pay him whatever it takes to keep him a Cardinal for life. What players daily presence has sold more tickets or made more money for their team than Pujols?
The Brewers and the Red Sox are two teams i see serious in this, because they both have a great 1b who is at this point going to FA and are slotted to be type A status, in which those teams will be in the fray to get Pujols, that is a three team race right there, not counting dark horses, and sorry New York, but especially with Jeter’s new contract and the fact no one will take Teixiera off your hands, you will not be in on this so I suggest you pray along with St Louis that they extend him because Pujols’ agent knows the market and which teams are vying for him….
if the brewers can’t afford to lock up Fielder, how are they gonna afford to lock up Pujols? you don’t go to a Toyota dealership and find out you don’t have enough money for a car only to go to a Ferrari dealership next.
Easy…they CAN afford Prince, they just want to gauge whats out there, and they like the Red Sox won’t lock up a good 1st baseman when you can have the one crafted by God on your team.
Let’s see, what kind of contract do you offer Babe Ruth? This is the problem both Albert and the front office face. How do you structure a contract that honors Albert’s status as the best in baseball, doesn’t bankrupt the team, and satisfies the Players Union? This extension will be hugely complicated and highly detailed, but it will happen. Probably will be announced this Thursday or Friday. Very well could top 300 million. Are there any candidates to sign Albert as a free agent? Yes, but all he needs is N.Y (both teams), the Red Sox and the Dodgers or Angels. If Albert reaches free agency, there will be a bidding war like no one has ever seen, and the sky’s the limit on the money. And just like Bank of America, he is too big to fail.
The question Mr Pujols has to ask himself is if he can be on a competitive team while being the highest paid player in the game. Does he want to win or does he want a big pay day? I wouldn’t blame him for wanting the money. It comes down to winning verses money while balancing his legacy. I’ll never be in a position to make a similar choice.
If everyone thinks 10 y
ears is too much pay him more the first 7 then less the last 3. You think Werth and Crawford are going to be worth the money at the end of their contracts?
I always hear on the East Coast as St Louis is the best baseball town and they always have a strong following. How in the world then would it bankrupt this team if the gave him the money. I always found the Cards to be a little cheap.
its not just about the fan base. The coasts have bigger markets which increase the amount of revenue generated from TV contracts. Personally I believe that if the Cardinals were serious about spending money they should look into the idea of their own TV channel/network. With a fan base that is so loyal and vast, viewership would not be an issue.
article says rodriguez hasen’t won a world series wqith the yankees, wrong. 2009 w s champs
“when he signed his last contract”, try reading the article!!!
article says rodriguez hasen’t won a world series wqith the yankees, wrong. 2009 w s champs
so does anyone find a 7 yr deal worth 190 million unreasonable