Great title, right? I'm surprised they haven't gotten a deal done yet. Looks like he rejected the most recent one. As a Cards fan, I assumed they'd have a deal done by now. Never would have thought it would go this late. Maybe they will get something done last minute. He wants a lot of money and years on a deal, but he deserves to be the highest paid player. I understand not wanting to pay this guy when he's 40 years old, but it may be the only way to get a deal done. The Cards would survive without him, but it would be hard to watch him play for another team and it would take a few years for them to retool the team to score runs without him. They are a pretty weak team without him on offense.
Cards would survive, but sure wouldn't compete without him. Remember what happened to the Giants after Bonds retired? Their offense still fucking sucks, we only won a title thanks to the best pitching in the league.
Define ridiculous. Its a tough spot for both sides. I'm sure he'd rather stay a Cardinal. He's said so. But its time he's paid like the best player in baseball that he is. But the Cardinals can't afford to hamstring themselves with his deal either. I think they know that they'll end up overpaying him at the end of a new deal (i.e. he won't be this productive at 39-40 years old, if he's even still playing at all). Its just a matter of how long they overpay him. I'd be willing to bet that the length of the contract is the disputed factor, not the amount per year.
Especially when all you hear about is Cubs ownership getting ready to roll out the greenbacks, the Cardinals HAVE to get this deal done. If money is this big a problem, that Holliday contract looks like shit.
The Cards were banking on Pujols giving them a discount which he is not gonna do. Luckily for him, there are no rediculous FA restrictions like in the NFL or NBA, so he can sign anywhere and get a huge deal.
Just makes me wonder if well see Pujols as a Yankee or Met in a year. If he went back to the Cards after his deadline passes that makes him look weak. The Rex Sox obviously cant afford him, and Philly has a ton tied up in pitching (not to mention has Howard at first) I have no idea where the Yanks would put him since their infield is more than settled already, but they always have their name in the mix for these kind of things. Definitely makes ya think though where could he end up.
Why couldn't the Sox afford him? Drew's 14 mil comes off the books Ortiz's 12, Papelbon's 12, and Cameron's 7.5. At least 2 are gone in 2012 and there's Pujols money right there.
I find it really difficult to believe the Cardinals will let Pujols walk. even if they do have Holiday to build Tue team around. Pujols has some serious milestones coming up which will more than pay for his contract not to mention a much better possibility for at least one more championship.
the fact that boston hasn't extended adrian gonzalez yet makes me think that they're just putting it off to see if they can make a run at pujols. god i hope not though. here's an article from espn about tony larussa accusing the players union of forcing pujols and his agent to look to sign a record setting contract. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2011/news/story?id=6124272
The A-Rod contract to me is ridiculous. Anything (noticeably) south of that is fair value (except not for 10 years) The Cards are gonna have to overpay for Pujols cus they know they're fucked without him. Yeah, they have good pitching and some decent bats but Pujols is the key force for that entire team.
AGon not getting extended was his choice. They have the terms agreed to, it's the specifics that need to be worked out.
Exactly, like I said earlier, look what happened to SF when Bonds left. The lineup still hasn't recovered. Barry and Albert draw walks, and teams will pitch around them and those in front of them to avoid giving them a chance to hit a run in. Remove Pujols and you have Holliday, who isn't scaring anybody.
Deadline came and went, no deal. 8 1/2 months till Pujols Watch 2011 begins!! Gentlemen! Get your checkbooks open!
Oh well, maybe the Cards can re-sign him when he's a free agent. Its all up to Albert now. He'll get bigger offers elsewhere. Either stay in St. Louis or take the payday elsewhere. Dammit!
