Pujols Watch

[Dan Michler]

Doug, first of all we don't know the $ value of the Miami offer.  This 225 number is a rumor that is probably an educated guess by somebody.

Second, by stating the difference between the two contracts is $300,000 per year, you are saying the extra year means very little.  I understand that is the logic that a Cardinals fan would like to use at this point, but it couldn't be more wrong.  There is a very good chance this will be Pujols' last contract, so the extra year on a guaranteed contract essentially amounts to an extra $25MM in Pujols' pocket.  He probably won't be worth anywhere near top dollar at age 41 and he knows it.  He's got to get every last dollar on this contract that he can, because its his last chance at a bigtime deal.

If Missouri's state tax rate is similar to IL, then that makes Miami's offer worth another 5%.  I would guess Albert would look past this if St.Louis is willing to match Miami's offer.  All we hear is rumors and speculation right now.  Who knows whats happening behind closed doors in Texas right now.

[Dan Michler]

The new ESPN rumor is that the Cards have increased their offer to 10 yr 220MM.  Albert's performance has declined significantly each of the past 2 seasons.  Whoever gets this guy better hope thats not a trend, or its going to be a long 10 years!  If this ends up being a bad contract in a couple years, it will cripple Miami or St.Louis for years to come.  Neither of these teams have the enormous revenue base to overcome a bad signing like this.

[CEValkyrie]

This is getting excited. I have the suicide prevent number ready for Cardinal fans.

[pdga#7648]

you guys are hilarious! we dont need a suicide number Brett.
220 MM or 225 MM.  He takes the 5 million less to stay a Redbird. Because he knows he can win there. Nobody knows what the Marlins will be like. Reyes will probably pull a hamstring before the season kicks off??  I just really can't believe not more teams got involved. we knew the Cubs wouldn't and Couldn't make a legit offer.   

[pdga#7648]

I think the Marlins screwed up by telling him they wanted an answer by last night? who are they to pressure the best player in baseball? if the Cards couldn't pressure him into a deal, what makes the Marlins think they can?

Tim Kirkjian said it best this morning. Cardinals will win this bidding war!  Marlins trying to pressure him, and he wont like that!



but here ya go Brett & Dan.  do you guys think if he leaves St. Louis and goes to Miami, that the Cubs will be better than the Cardinals in 2012? 

[stpitner]

I'd love to get Pujols out of the division, although would much rather see him leave the league if he's not going to be on the Cubs.  If anything the cubs are just helping drive up the price.  I feel like I'm watching an episode of Storage Wars.  It just makes me wonder what the price tag on Prince is going to be.  I would not be surprised if the Cubs pass on both.  I wonder if Vitters could move from 3rd to 1st... although there wouldn't be anything all that bad if you keep Carlos Pena for another year.

[Dan Michler]

but here ya go Brett & Dan.  do you guys think if he leaves St. Louis and goes to Miami, that the Cubs will be better than the Cardinals in 2012? 

Doug, its not that surprising that very few teams are considering giving a declining player a 10 year deal.  I don't mind him ending up in St.Louis.  I think he's got 3 or 4 elite level years left at the most.  Then you'll be stuck with a bad contract for half a decade, right about the time Epstein's organization will hopefully have the Cubs reaching contender status.

As far as your question about 2012, who cares?  The Cardinals weren't that good last year, and I don't think they'll be significantly better next year.  The Cubs also don't project to be a serious threat, whether they make a big splash in free agency or not.  The Phillies will still be the class of the NL regardless.

[pdga#7648]

Marlins withdrew offer to Pujols, signed Mark Burehle.    We will take him for 10 years, and probably 2 more WS Titles. they wont have a bad contract situation as bad as the Cubs have had the last 8 years!


You think the Cubs will actually be contenders in 5 years is freakin hilarious!  They could of landed AP and not been contenders!

[pdga#7648]

but here ya go Brett & Dan.  do you guys think if he leaves St. Louis and goes to Miami, that the Cubs will be better than the Cardinals in 2012? 

As far as your question about 2012, who cares?  The Cardinals weren't that good last year, and I don't think they'll be significantly better next year. 

That's pretty silly Dan!  They were the BEST team in October, the Trophy proves that!

[stpitner]

and one friggin strike from being the losers.  GRR to you, Texas!!

[Stan the Blue Man]

Well Doug the angels signed Pujols for 10yrs for 250 Millions so no championship for the Cards this coming year

[stpitner]

woo, off to the AL with you where you can turn into an Albatross contract

still not a done deal, but talk about swooping in from nowhere!

[pdga#7648]

very very suprised.   at least he's out of the NL, to where he can't hurt us all year!

But the Cardinals will sign someone, just watch

[Dan Michler]

Can we go back and count the number of times Doug mocked anybody who suggested Albert would leave St.Louis?  Its a business buddy, and your guy is gone. 

Don't blame Albert, blame the Cardinals organization who lowballed him bigtime before this season, pissing him off and leading to this day.  You don't make one of the top 3 first basemen of alltime an offer to be the 4th highest paid first basemen today and expect him to be happy and loyal to you.  I don't think the Cardinals thought he had the balls to walk away, but they just learned that lesson the hard way.

Its a happy day in Chicago!  No more Pujols walk-off homeruns in Wrigley Field!  Thank God!  Middle of the St.Louis order just got a lot less scary!

Now the Prince Fielder negotiations can begin....

[CEValkyrie]

WOW!! I cannot believe the Cardinals management allowed this to carry over to this. They should have reworked his deal several years ago or prior to the season. What a huge hole to fill.

Dan just hit it out of the park. No more Pujols jacks in Wrigley field. We will not find out how good Holliday and Berkman really are.

[stpitner]

unfortunately we'll have to continue to witness Marmol walk off wild pitches that allows a stupid win that enabled the team to get to the playoffs anyway...

so Kendry Morales is probably now on the trading block from the Angels since they have a new first baseman now, would he be a better option than Prince?  He was hurt with an ankle injury last year, but in 2009 had 34 homers, 108 RBI, although 117 K's and an ok 46 walks.  Might be worth considering.

Cubs are playing AL Central teams in interleague this year, so no chance of seeing Pujols in the regular season, woo.

[pdga#7648]

Can we go back and count the number of times Doug mocked anybody who suggested Albert would leave St.Louis?  Its a business buddy, and your guy is gone. 

Don't blame Albert, blame the Cardinals organization who lowballed him bigtime before this season, pissing him off and leading to this day.  You don't make one of the top 3 first basemen of alltime an offer to be the 4th highest paid first basemen today and expect him to be happy and loyal to you.  I don't think the Cardinals thought he had the balls to walk away, but they just learned that lesson the hard way.

Its a happy day in Chicago!  No more Pujols walk-off homeruns in Wrigley Field!  Thank God!  Middle of the St.Louis order just got a lot less scary!

Now the Prince Fielder negotiations can begin....

Dan 73 is that number.

But dude, even you have said that 10 yrs was too many for even Albert, so why would the orginization hand cuff themselves for 10 years? wouldn't have been smart.  his last 2 years he dropped way off, like you pointed out, so no, he isn't worth 250 million dollars.  That just frees up money to go get players, and the Cards will do that!

[pdga#7648]

but was I suprised?  hell yes.   all his preaching money isnt an issue, and wanting to be a Cardinal for life was just horseshit!

[Stan the Blue Man]

WOW!!!! The Angels signed C.J. Wilson now there rotation is deadly with Weaver,Wilson, Santana, and Haren

[Dan Michler]

I think he did want to be a Cardinal for life.  But if he had to choose between $50 million or being a Cardinal for life...well how many people are turning down the $50M?  At the end of the day, the Cardinals didn't want him as much as the Angels, and I'm sure that hurt his feelings.  Don't tell me they couldn't afford him either.  The truth is they just couldn't afford to keep Wainwright and Pujols long-term, and they chose to keep Wainwright.  He's given alot to St.Louis for 11 years at far less than market value, and they refused to give him the payday he deserved.  He was worth more in St.Louis than anywhere else because of what he means to the fans there.  There will be alot of angry fans next season down in St.Louis.  Winning cures all that though, so they better win.

I do think the Cardinals are better off in the long-run without making this deal.  I would not have been happy to see him sign with the Cubs for 10 years, but am very happy he is out of the division.  He probably still has 3 or 4 more killer seasons left in him.  Its those last 6 years that may haunt the Angels.  Maybe in a few years when they discover he's currently 34 years old and not 31 years old, they can get the deal voided.