The deadline for an extension between the Cardinals and Albert Pujols is earlier than anticipated. The first baseman had been scheduled to arrive in Spring Training on February 19th, but he is now expected to report on February 16th, according to ESPN. That will reduce the sides' negotiating window by three days.
The Cardinals have until Spring Training to work out a deal with Pujols’ agent, Dan Lozano, or the three-time MVP will hit free agency after the season. Earlier today, we heard that the Cardinals had yet to make Pujols a formal offer as of last weekend.
Now more than ever a Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols trade seems like a road both teams should explore. If the Cards don’t think they can re-sign Pujols they can make the trade and have Ryan Howard under contract for the next 5 years.
The Phillies can afford to offer him 7-8 years at 28-30 million a year. What teams will be willing to pay that in the offseason? Boston and NYY both are set at 1B and you aren’t going to DH Pujols because he is a plus fielder.
Cubs would, and Howard’s contract isn’t that dissimilar to what Pujols wants, and everyone would rather pay Pujols 30million for 8 years (as you describe) than Howard 25million for 5.
Im not talking this will happen. I am saying they should explore it. Obviously the Phillies would have to add some prospects. I hear the hold up is the Cards do not want to go over 5 years. If thats the case Howard fits that mold perfect. I am in no way saying this deal should happen. Im just saying if you are the Cardinals shouldn’t you cover all bases. This guy could walk after the season and you have NOTHING. Howard is no Pujols. I know that, but he can produce in the middle of that lineup.
Once again I want to state this is not just a Howard for Pujols swap. It would take a package of probably 2 of the Phillies top prospects also. I am just saying the Phillies have the money to make the deal and the pieces to make the trade. How many other teams can say that.
NYY-Texiera (full no trade)
Boston- Gonzalez (just traded there, they wont just move him again)
Mets- No money
Braves- Have the prospects but do they have the money
Angels- Also a possibilty. They would probably rather wait until free agency and just pay
Texas- Same as Angels.
Dodgers- No money
Interesting idea. Ryan Howard is a Missouri native too, no? I guess it makes sense in theory, but would Howard and Pujols have any say in the idea in the form of no-trade clauses? I wonder if either of them would reject such a trade.
Pujols has a full NTC. Howard has a limited NTC. I am sure St. Louis is not on his blocked list. It would be totally up to Pujols but the ground work could be done.
Don’t be sure that BoSox won’t resign Gonzalez. They may not move him but if this becomes a bidding war at the end of the season, and if the Sox have contracts (like Ortiz and Drew’s coming off the books), they could outbid any team out there. Making Gonzalez a FA and giving AP the contract he’s looking for. Gonzalez is a nice player but he’s not AP.
your other two wishes? aladdin.
i counter your offer with an offer of one Albert Pujols bobblehead doll and an order of toasted ravioli for Ryan Howard
Nice try, Buster Olney
Pujols has 10/5 rights. He said he will block any trade. It’s not a discussion at this point.
2 things: 1) pujols will veto any trade because of his 10/5 rights. and 2) if the cards don’t want to pay the best player in the game 30mil, they won’t want to pay a much much much worse first baseman only 5 million less. he’s a much more flawed hitter and a much worse defender, not to mention older. no way.
“..not to mention older.” Huh? Howard is two months older. I doubt age makes any difference.
oh yea i forgot the machine could age. i think he forgot too. don’t tell him, or he might stop playing like he’s 25!
Supposedly, his agent asked 36 for 10. Gotta admit that’s boatload of cash.
If he is asking for 36 a year for 10 years, he is crazy. He will never get that from anyone. What really hurts him is that he won’t have the Yankees and Red Sox in the bidding to drive up the price.
He won’t get close to that. He might not even get $28 mil/year over 10.
The Sox would have Anchor their side of a deal with Adrian Gonzalez and the Yankees with Teixiera and than both would have to empty the farm
For one year of Pujols?? Keep the guys they have, the prospects and let the Cards worry about the draft picks they will be getting…
Trust me if either team traded for Pujols they would certainly give him an extension
Honestly, even if Albert would accept a trade. I think I would rather just pass on Howard and take the 2 draft picks when Albert walks as a free agent. If the Cards are going to spend 25mil, and not on Albert Pujols, I can find something alot better than Ryan Howard to spend it on.
And thats a valid argument. I am just saying that if the Cardinals brass doesn’t want to anger their fans they could try a deal like this so that Pujols only walks away for 2 draft picks.
Pujols is the best player of my generation. Nobody is really even that close either. It would be tough to stomach for me as a fan to just watch Pujols leave for picks.
But I understand at the same token that Howard is a flawed player. He will only hit around .280 and strikeout around 150 times. He is an average fielder. But on the upside he will bring you normally if healthy anywhere from 40-50 HRs and 120 RBI. It would also have to include probably some money and top prospects.
I think that is a little much payroll for one team hens their pitching staff
Pujols for Young.
I lol’d.
As long as Hamilton, Andrus, and Feliz are thrown in.
albert pujols for the entire royals’ farm system. fair?
not at this point
it’s gonna get done..
that’s also my deadline for college applications…interesting
Welcome to two weeks ago. Albert Pujols will not accept a trade. And even if he would, Ryan Howard and his 25mil salary is not coming to St. Louis. It makes no sense.
Cards would get two draft picks if Pujols walks… Maybel they’ll come up with a Type ‘A+’ free agent and award four 1st round picks
Losing Albert Pujols nets the same compensation as losing Grant Balfour…
When you put it that way it kinda says a lot about the whole compensation system.
When does that get renegotiated?
conveniently, right before pujols is a free agent. Current CBA expires after 2011.
I don’t think Pujols is going to get the insane deal he wants with the Yankees and Red Sox not involved. I wonder if even the Yanks and Sox think Pujols isn’t worth 30 mil/10.
The Cubs will raise the price when they bid.
Without the Yanks, Red Sox and Phillies involved, I can’t see why the Cubs would need to go that high. I doubt the Rangers or Angels go near that figure, and the Mets and Dodgers will be lucky if they can afford Derrek Lee next year.
Ya, but if it is in FA, the Angels and Cubs could leave STL behind wondering what happened, when they see the two bid high. Just a though.
Everyone seems to be arguing this. While this argument seems valid, I still see Pujols getting an insane deal in FA. We’re not talking about a Prince Fielder/Ryan Howard/Mark Teixeira caliber player…we’re talking about Albert Pujols, one of the best players in the history of the game. Someone will pay up to get Pujols. Imagine all the publicity the signing would bring…not to mention how many empty seats will be filled!
Plus, there are surprises every year in FA…look to Werth as an example. (don’t forget Cliff Lee)
As much as I can’t stand Pujols and would hate to see him get his insane $$$. This is the time where Mets fans should be hoping and praying mark Cuban buys the Mets before next off-season. If any team needs a big name acquisition its the Mets. Not to mention Cuban would probably sign some pitching to boot, something the Mets haven’t done much of lately.
Pujols for Vladimir Guerrero. And yes, I am an O’s fan.
He isn’t staying… public perception of him says he will, but all the reports suggest otherwise. Cardinals fans have to face this possibility.
I, for one, would love to see the deadline pass without an accord. That way baseball fans everywhere (well, most fans) would get the renewed thrill that comes with the best player in baseball being on a new team!
thats what they thought about A-rod and only a small handful of teams ending up getting serious.
It’s funny to me if you read the actual articles word for word. Several articles put in words that are generalities and also coming to conclusions based on conversations that took place back in the beginning of off-season. Pujols will not negotiate during the season. This was established a long time ago during his first contract. Contract numbers. These have all been speculation based on the last A-Rod contract and using performance numbers to “guess” at a 300 mil / 10 yr. contract. It is also Media hype, and writers do not know anything that is going on. Both sides said they do not want this to turn into a Derek Jeter issue. So why would they turn it into a Derek Jeter issue? I guess I fell for the reports again since I am sitting here typing this and giving the writers what they want…….PUBLICITY.
Let him walk. With $30 mil/season we can keep Carpenter, sign Buerhle, and invest the extra in our outstanding youth.
And get two studs with the picks
and sign Reyes and another big name guy. 300million gets you a lot of value.
Pujols is the new Derek Jeter.
Pujols is a douche. What a creep.
What did he do now?
This is going well (for ne)
This Feb 16th deadline does not mean a thing. Albert’s agent is too busy to take the Cardinals calls in March or April? I think not.
If the Cards offer up $280-$300 mill after Feb 16th , the “negotiating window” will be wide open.