http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/30/what-is-albert-pujols-really-waiting-for/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Thu, 23 May 2013 18:17:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/30/what-is-albert-pujols-really-waiting-for/comment-page-1/#comment-14102 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:32:31 +0000 http://localhost/wp/nbchbt/?p=2348#comment-14102 As a Cardinal fan, I would love for Pujols to sign a nice, long contract extension ASAP that keeps him with the Cardinals forever. However, I don’t blame him for waiting. He has two more years on his current deal – including the team’s $16 million 2011 option – so there’s no pressure to rush things.
First, maybe the economy improves enough in the next year or two that Pujols can sign an eight-year, $240 million contract instead of an eight-year, $200 million deal. (I’m pulling relatively-reasonable numbers out of the air. YMMV.)
Second, things could change significantly with the Redbirds in the next couple of seasons. What if Carpenter is hurt again, Rasmus doesn’t develop, St. Louis wastes $10 million a year on another mediocre starting pitcher like they did with Lohse, and/or they continue to sign Jason LaRue as their backup catcher when so many better options are out there? (Gregg Zaun, anyone?)
Pujols has the luxury of time and the knowledge that he will get paid an incomprehensible amount of money from someone in the near future. While I hope that’s the Cardinals, only time will tell.

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