Comments on: Pujols releases statement on failed negotiations

By: cintiphil

cintiphil — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:09:05 +0000

Either you or stupid, or think the rest of us are. Albert doesn’t want to go to Philly. Howard is not in his class and I think he is strictly a HR guy but a poor fielder and just because he is from St. Louis, doesn’t mean they want him there. Pujols is also from Missouri (after they left the home country as a young boy), as he went to school there.

Get your head out of you know where. Only you think everyone wants to play in the city of Brotherly hate. I have been to games there. There is love to it.

By: cintiphil

cintiphil — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:02:51 +0000

You are right on. He is the very best I ever saw play. We don’t hate the Cardinals in Cinti, but we hate to lose so many times to them because of Albert. We would like to see him in the AL. If we can’t win the NL Central (I think we will), then I hope it is the Brewers or the Cardinals.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:23:35 +0000

BC, if I banked every time you told me to bank, I wouldn’t have anything in the bank.

By: tmohr

tmohr — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:49:33 +0000

Felicia Day is the best hitter in baseball?

By: Mr. Jason "El Bravo" Heyward

Mr. Jason "El Bravo" Heyward — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:22:49 +0000

Don’t worry Cards fans, I’m sure he’ll send a postcard from his new city next year.

By: BC

BC — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:21:52 +0000

Mauer as a catcher will break down before Pujols, but at this second, Mauer is more valuable to his team. In three years, no question, Pujols.
PS. If Pujols doesn’t re-sign with the Cards, he’s going to Texas. I’ll keep sayin’ it. Bank on it.

By: Mr. Jason "El Bravo" Heyward

Mr. Jason "El Bravo" Heyward — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:21:03 +0000

Dude, if the Phillies land Pujols in any fashion within the next year (via trade or free agency), I’ll never eat a pie again. Keep wishing upon those stars my friend.

By: Mr. Jason "El Bravo" Heyward

Mr. Jason "El Bravo" Heyward — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:10:50 +0000

“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever read on this site.” This is the truest thing I’ve ever read on this site. Mauer > Pujols? You must be high.

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:47:44 +0000

Not so sure about the Angels, depends on how Kendry does this year. Not that I can’t see them doing it, I’d just put them a little behind those others based on the fact that Pujols is worth slightly less to them given that they have a potential stud returning from injury at his position. Also, of course, you have to at least mention the Angels’ recent hesitation to spend as big as other teams. Whether that’s predictive or not, I’m not sure, and while I love Crawford and Beltre, Pujols is a pretty special special case.

I’d add the Jays to the list. Just cleared out Wells’ contract, have 1B mostly open, and adding 7 or 8 wins a year would make a huge difference to them. While they did use some of the money for Jose Bautista, they have very little in payroll obligation still, and resigning Bautista says to me they’re interested in really going for it over the next several years.

By: larryhockett

larryhockett — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:13:17 +0000

I agree with the sentiment that the Pujols we see this year won’t be that much different than the one we always see. How much better could he possibly get?

I also think the Cards decided some time ago that they’re not going to resign him. It’s certainly a legitimate decision on their part. $30M/yr over the next 10 years (or so) is an obligation very few teams could take on and still field a contender. Having made that decision, they now have a very touchy PR situation with which to contend. I think both sides are trying to get through this year without alienating the fans. When the season is over, some team will emerge with a monstrous offer and Pujols will move on.

By: larryhockett

larryhockett — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:07:49 +0000

I’m guessing, in order, Angels, Cubs, Dodgers.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:43:36 +0000

Why would you say it has become personal? The Cardinals are probably trying to get him as cheaply as possible, and they don’t want to bid against themselves…which makes perfect business sense. Perhaps the Cardinals think that he won’t find his $300MM contract on the open market and they can sign him for less than he is demanding now after he sees what is available. I wouldn’t want to risk him getting away, but they obviously are willing to do so.
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IMO, from a business perspective for StL, losing Pujols will be much worse than overpaying him (based on expected value). Within that context, EVERY star player is over paid, so if they won’t re-sign Pujols, they won’t sign any other star FAs. Their farm system is weak, so no/little cheap talent is on its way to help. They will suffer greater decline in revenues while having a decade of mediocre (or worse) seasons than the entire amount of any Pujols contract. The Cardinals are trying to not make a mistake, but the better mistake to make is to pay Pujols too much….losing him will cost a lot more.

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:33:59 +0000

This isn’t about Howard the player (although Howard is overrated, he’s probably still going to be a quality player). It has to do with Howard the contract. His contract has NEGATIVE trade value. As in, if the Phillies put Howard on waivers, no one would want him. They could not give him away, let alone get a year of Pujols for him.

I don’t remember who said this, but I remember Neyer quoting them: teams don’t trade players, they trade contracts. Next year, Pujols is worth something like $20M in value above what he’s being paid. You would need quite a package to match that.

So if the Cardinals have decided that they won’t sign Pujols during the season or even after the season, it would still make a lot more sense to get a year of him at a severe discount than to trade him. Especially in a contending year.

And it makes a ton more sense to get a year of Pujols at a discount than six years of overpaying Ryan Howard.

By: bigharold

bigharold — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:40:08 +0000

Yankees or Angels

By: paperlions

paperlions — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:04:37 +0000

Howard’s contract is horrible. He won’t be worth it (or even close) for even one of those years. Bad defense, bad base running, and huge declines in power and OBP. If the Cardinals were going to overpay a 1B, they’d do it for Pujols (who StL loves and is younger than Howard) rather than for Howard (who StL honestly couldn’t give a shit about, regardless of the fact that he’s from here). Philly would have to pick up a huge chunk of Howard’s contract to trade him to anyone, and they aren’t going to do that, otherwise, getting Howard is not better than getting nothing.
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And why would Pujols want to sign for 8 years to play behind that rotation of old guys, they’ll be good for a couple of years, then have an old rotation and an old core of position players.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:57:56 +0000

“Watch the man play this year – he’s going to put himself in a better negotiating position when he talks to the Cards again about a new contract.”

Honestly, what more can the guy do to make himself be in a better bargaining position? He is done with the Cardinals. It seems to have become personal. They had the entire winter to get the guy signed, and they waited until the last week to make an offer, which sounds like it was extremely lowball. The Cardinals treated this process they were buying a TV off Craigslist.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:55:46 +0000

I heard a stat that said only Ted Williams had a higher WAR than Pujols after 10 seasons in the league. Not that I like WAR, but if you have so far beaten EVERYBODY except Teddy Ballgame, you are an all-timer.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:50:47 +0000

If you think you aren’t going to get him signed, there’s EVERY reason to trade Pujols. Ryan Howard is a hometown guy. He loves St. Louis and St. Louis loves him. He’ll draw people, and he’ll provide at least something in exchange for the last year of Pujols. Also, how is 8 years at $27.5 million a “discount”? OK, make it 8 years and $230 or $240. What difference does it make. The point is that the Cardinals would rather have a shorter term with Howard than getting nothing for Pujols. Or maybe you think they will be OK with those 2 high draft picks? You obviously undervalue Howard, which is your opinion. He’s much better than getting the two high draft picks.

By: cur68

cur68 — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:45:28 +0000

I agree re. his performance, he’ll be a monster, but I don’t see how he could be in any better position than he is now. He’s always a friggin monster. I wish he was douche like A-Rod, but no, he’s mister teflon clean. He’ll be a Yankee in 2012. Deep sigh.

By: fightingwombat

fightingwombat — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:38:28 +0000

I’m not a die hard follower of the Cards, but I get the feeling that Pujols is going to tear it up this year. The few times that I’ve seen the Cards play, Pujols is doing something to help the team win games. He’s one of those special players that LOVES the game, and knows that the fans are who he plays for. I’ve never heard anything negative about him in the press (or on this blog) – reminds me of Cal Ripken or Tony Gwynn – they were one team players during their careers.

Watch the man play this year – he’s going to put himself in a better negotiating position when he talks to the Cards again about a new contract.

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:30:22 +0000

There is practically no reason to trade Pujols. You would rather have one year of Pujols than pretty much any package you’re going to get for the guy. And definitely you’d rather have a year of Pujols than a declining 1B with five years at $25M a year still owed to him. Tony Reagins aside, no one’s going to give up anything of value for Ryan Howard’s bloated contract.

And I doubt Pujols would give the Phillies a discount if he won’t give it to the Cards. Keep dreaming, Fiorentino.

By: cur68

cur68 — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:29:47 +0000

Well when you put it like that…Albert in Philthy? Lord luv a duck; he’s taking his talents to (near) Long Beach!

By: heyzeus143

heyzeus143 — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:22:02 +0000

new york or Boston

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:18:31 +0000

I would argue that Pujols is a better overall player than Mauer as well, but Drew was only saying that Pujols is baseball’s best hitter. Mauer’s at .327/.407/.481 for his career. Pujols is at .331/.426/.624. No contest.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:17:16 +0000

The Cardinals are playing a very dangerous game here. If they truly think they aren’t going to get Pujols signed, they need to trade him now. I know he has full veto rights, but you can’t tell me that he would pass up on the chance to go to the Phillies. If they offered the Cardinals Ryan Howard++, the Cardinals would be idiots to turn that deal down. and if the Phillies offered Pujols 8 years and $220 Million he would be an idiot to turn down playing behind the best rotation in baseball history for at least the next two years. If they play it out, and Pujols signs elsewhere, the Cardinals will go down as the biggest fools in baseball. All that money to Holliday for a middling squad the next 4-5 years. Howard is a local guy and would be a great draw. He’s no Pujols(who is?) but he’s better than 2 draft picks in the 2012 draft.

By: mercyflush

mercyflush — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:13:39 +0000

That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever read on this site. Albert Pujols *average* season after 10 years has an OPS+ of 172. Mauer’s by far best season, 2009, he had an OPS+ of 170.

The lowest OPS+ Pujols ever had was 151 in 2002. Mauer only ever beat that once, in ’09.

And OPS+ is only one of about 30 stats where Pujols beats Mauer, including career BA: .331 AP to .327 JM.

Pujols is the best hitter in MLB, period. And he will be one of the top 5 all time when he’s done. He might even be in that discussion now.

(and for the record I’m not a Cards fan. I hate them, actually. But I acknowledge greatness).

By: stankfinger

stankfinger — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:13:03 +0000

Pujols might be the last guy you’d ever accuse of dogging it once having a fat contract, but not having a contract in hand during this coming season can only make him work that much harder. That’s one positive way to look at it for you Cards fans out there.

By: iamthedoublestandard

iamthedoublestandard — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:55:49 +0000

Don’t get me wrong, he’s in the top 5. Baseball’s best hitter? Yeah, he was on Fallon last night.

By: Drew Silva

Drew Silva — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:53:44 +0000

That’s a fact. Should have said “blamed him on the radio waves.”

By: ultimatecardinalwarrior

ultimatecardinalwarrior — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:50:05 +0000

One thing that is for sure going to happen is Pujols will get a standing ovation when he first comes up to the plate. Cardinals fans know how to show love.