The Albert Pujols Saga

[DrJones]

Re: The deadline is Feb 19th...does a deal get done (Pujols and Cardinals)

The MLBPA has been a bit less hands on when it comes to contracts though. Just look at what happened with Cliff Lee. Back in the day when Donald Fehr was running the PA Lee would definitely be in Yankee pinstripes right now.

Average salary is more important to deal length when it comes to the MLBPA (not individual players, mind you). Lee's average salary with the Phillies works out to $24M per season, more than the Yankees or Rangers were offering, so I doubt if the PA is displeased.

[duke776]

Re: The deadline is Feb 19th...does a deal get done (Pujols and Cardinals)

I don't believe MLB contracts can be renegotiated (ie, backloading it) once it's been signed.

Players can defer payments after the contract is signed if they choose. Andruw Jones defered most of his salary before he was released by the Dodgers. When Todd Helton agreed to a two year $9.9MM extension, he deferred $13.1MM dollars of the $19MM salary he was owed in 2011. Now there may have been trade offs in there that the MLBPA allowed them to do this (like agreed to being traded/released and an extension for Helton), but it's been done.

The Times' Bill Shaikin reports that Andruw Jones and the Dodgers have agreed on a deal that would cut the outfielder’s 2009 salary and shave $12 million from the club payroll this year. Jones agreed to deferred payments on the $22 million the club still owes him in exchange for a trade or his release before spring training.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/01/the-times-bill.html

The first baseman also agreed to defer $13.1 million of his $19 million salary in 2011 over a 10-year period beginning in 2014, the team said.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Todd-Helton-gets-new-deal-will-retire-with-Colorado-Rockies-031110

[cardsleadtheway]

Re: The deadline is Feb 19th...does a deal get done (Pujols and Cardinals)

You guys all got it wrong. He is going to sign with the A's as their small market philosophy reverts back to the old man Haas days.

I don't see how you don't re-sign Pujols no matter what it takes. Who is to say that he will not be putting up huge numbers for the next 10 years? Just because no body else has ever done it? No other player has put up the numbers he has already. Pujols plays 1st base, so it isn't like he plays an injury prone position. Now if his fielding drops off over the years, that isn't the worst thing in the world since he is a 1st baseman. His bat speed may slow as he ages, but his selective eye will only get better. What I find funny is all the people who say that you won't be able to field a competitive team around Pujols if you give him too much money. Well it is even tougher to field a competitive team around Pujols when you don't have Pujols.

[kodiak]

Since Stan the Man is getting the Presidential Award tomorrow, both parties have pushed the deadline to Wed. Still dont see anything getting done


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DrJones]

Re: The deadline is Feb 19th...does a deal get done (Pujols and Cardinals)

Players can defer payments after the contract is signed if they choose. Andruw Jones defered most of his salary before he was released by the Dodgers. When Todd Helton agreed to a two year $9.9MM extension, he deferred $13.1MM dollars of the $19MM salary he was owed in 2011. Now there may have been trade offs in there that the MLBPA allowed them to do this (like agreed to being traded/released and an extension for Helton), but it's been done.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/01/the-times-bill.html

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/T...Rockies-031110

Good catch.

[vernond]

Re: The deadline is Feb 19th...does a deal get done (Pujols and Cardinals)

It's funny when this whole discussion really started up I was very adament that the Cards should do everything necessary to make sure that they resign him but the more it goes on I think letting him go could be the best for the team. 30 million can get you 2 near superstar players or 3 very good ones. Personally, I don't think it'd be such a bad idea to listen to trade offers for Albert. The cards could get a couple good young players and one top notch star for him. It seems like Texas would be a good fit, Texas could send Young and a couple other good young players out of Cruz, Kinsler, Andrus, or prospects. I don't know how a deal like this would work for Texas but as a Cardinals fan I'd be happy getting Young, Cruz, and Andrus for Pujols and say Theriot. Move Berkman to 1st, Young to 2nd, Andrus at SS, and Cruz in RF. Then sign Prince's fat tail when he becomes a fa. I doubt Texas would want to do that though. Who knows, I get carried away making deals in my head sometimes.

[duke776]

Re: The deadline is Feb 19th...does a deal get done (Pujols and Cardinals)

It's funny when this whole discussion really started up I was very adament that the Cards should do everything necessary to make sure that they resign him but the more it goes on I think letting him go could be the best for the team. 30 million can get you 2 near superstar players or 3 very good ones. Personally, I don't think it'd be such a bad idea to listen to trade offers for Albert. The cards could get a couple good young players and one top notch star for him. It seems like Texas would be a good fit, Texas could send Young and a couple other good young players out of Cruz, Kinsler, Andrus, or prospects. I don't know how a deal like this would work for Texas but as a Cardinals fan I'd be happy getting Young, Cruz, and Andrus for Pujols and say Theriot. Move Berkman to 1st, Young to 2nd, Andrus at SS, and Cruz in RF. Then sign Prince's fat tail when he becomes a fa. I doubt Texas would want to do that though. Who knows, I get carried away making deals in my head sometimes.

Pujols has 10 and 5 rights so he can veto any trade. It's been reported that he would veto any trade. Now, that could change, or it could just not be true but I mean I wouldn't doubt it to be true.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6070963

[Gagnon39]

Re: The deadline is Feb 19th...does a deal get done (Pujols and Cardinals)

No deal....

[rsox]

Re: The deadline is Feb 19th...does a deal get done (Pujols and Cardinals)

Tony LaRussa believes the union is trying to "beat up" Pujols and his agent to try and break the bank
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring...ory?id=6124272

[kodiak]

Conflicting reports coming out as national media says dollar amount is the sticking point, while local media is saying its the duration. Either way, negotiating is done until after the season


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JBH3]

Re: The Albert Pujols Saga

NOT getting a deal done prior to this season I don't think bodes well for STL. I think that the Brewers are heavy favorites to win that division, and Cincy is still strong too. If the Cards fail to make the postseason again, Pujols will be on the move. . .

[SPTO]

Re: The Albert Pujols Saga

Conflicting reports coming out as national media says dollar amount is the sticking point, while local media is saying its the duration. Either way, negotiating is done until after the season


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Whatever the cause of the sticking point I think it's safe to say that Phat Albert will be gone in 2012.

[WazzuRC]

Re: The Albert Pujols Saga

Good for STL. A 31 year old first baseman doesn't deserve 10 years, $300 million. Regardless if he's the best player in the league or not. They'd be horribly crippled with that contract after the first 5 years.

[Dog]

Re: The Albert Pujols Saga

I hope he goes to like Japan or something and plays baseball there

[JBH3]

Good for STL. A 31 year old first baseman doesn't deserve 10 years, $300 million. Regardless if he's the best player in the league or not. They'd be horribly crippled with that contract after the first 5 years.

I somewhat agree...but...to what extent has STL already profited from having (under)paid Pujols from when he initially signed the deal until now?

Its not like they should expect to break even now that they REALLY have to pay Pujols, but by comparison of what arod and howard were getting, STL has been getting Pujols on the cheap. They've made money hand over fist during the Pujols years. . .