The Albert Pujols Saga

[countryboy]

I thought I'd see what others thought as to whether or not the Cardinals and Pujols agree to a deal prior to his Feb 19th deadline. After that date, if no deal is made, Pujols will not negotiate a contract until the end of the season.

So, what say you? Does a deal get done?

Personally, I think a deal is done prior to the date. Pujols wants to stay in St.Louis, St.Louis wants Pujols to stay in St.Louis, so I don't see how a deal doesn't get done. I understand the money is high, but lets face it, Pujols deserves it.

[Kearnzo]

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

Agreed. The only thing i'm wondering is just how much it will cost.

Will Pujols give St. Louis a "discount" (which will still be upward of 20m a year), or is he basically going to tell them to pay him what he's worth or he'll get it elsewhere?

[Chrisksaint]

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

I think it's a guarantee he stays at this point it's just whoever caves first or if they reach a compromise.

[kehlis]

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

I havent really been following. Whats the main holdup? Money? Term? both?

[snepp]

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

I havent really been following. Whats the main holdup? Money? Term? both?

A quarter billion dollars is a lot of money, you don't rush into something like that....




....unless you're the Yankees.

[countryboy]

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

I havent really been following. Whats the main holdup? Money? Term? both?

Money. Pujols wants a contract similar to that of A-Rod's. St.Louis wants to offer him a deal worth $15-17M a year and Pujols wants anywhere from $25-27M a year. My guess is they'll settle around $22-25M a year.

Both are in agreement of locking him up for the remainder of his career (10 year deal). Its been reported that Pujols would take less than what he might get out on the open market but not significantly less.

[DieHardYankee26]

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

Money. Pujols wants a contract similar to that of A-Rod's. St.Louis wants to offer him a deal worth $15-17M a year and Pujols wants anywhere from $25-27M a year. My guess is they'll settle around $22-25M a year.

Both are in agreement of locking him up for the remainder of his career (10 year deal). Its been reported that Pujols would take less than what he might get out on the open market but not significantly less.

$15-17 Million a year? Wow, I don't know how they think that's gonna fly after Ryan Howard got 5 125.

[kodiak]

It's all going to depend on what Albert wants more. Does he want more money or a chance to get more rings. They already have Holliday on a big contract. Chris Carpenter and others will be having contracts come up in the next couple of years.

If Albert wants to win another WS, he needs to take less so the front office has some flexibility to sign other key guys to put around him. Last season proved that Albert and Matt can't carry the offensive production and be a winner.

I will not be shocked at all if it does not get done and if it does, it will probably be a last minute deal on the 19th. He and his agent have already put the spin on it incase it does not get done about him not wanting it to be a distraction. But if it does not get done, it's going to be a distraction in it's own right. Fans and media will constantly be speculating on if it's his last April, May, homer, etc in a Cards uni


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[nccomicfan]

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

It will get done after the season...How the Cards could look the game's best player in the face and offer him 17 per is astounding..when the numbers come it will be in the 26 per range imho

[TheMatrix31]

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

Get it done.

[rsox]

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

A deal will get done. I'm just not sure it will get done that quickley.

It has already been said that the Cardinals can pretty much afford to give Albert what he wants and that is why they locked up Matt Holliday to such a big contract to prove to Albert they can.

The Cardinals tend to rely on reclamation projects, low level free agents, and their own farm system so signing Pujols to a mega deal won't cripple them that much.

Carpenter turns 36 in april and won't have a lot of teams throwing big money at him. Wainwright has something like 3 options that can kick in at various times and take his contract thru 2014. They could lose Yadier Molina at some point. By the time guys like Rasmus, Garcia, and Freese run out of arbitration eligability Holliday's contract will be almost over and probably not impossible to move depending on how Holliday holds up physically.

[55]

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

I really hope so. Pujols just seems like a guy that will stay with one team for his entire career.

[jczar78]

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

I think a deal will get done, the only question is how much is it going to cost the cards. For selfish reasons I want Pujols to take them for everything he can.
If you are a fan of any other team in the central you want Pujols with the cards at the max amount of money. It would make it very hard for them to spend money elsewhere.

Even if he takes a hometown discount I do not see him accepting anything below $22mil per year. Differing money would be the way to go but do you want to be paying him millions well into the year 2056 or whenever.

[Stroehms]

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

A deal will get done. I'm just not sure it will get done that quickley.

It has already been said that the Cardinals can pretty much afford to give Albert what he wants and that is why they locked up Matt Holliday to such a big contract to prove to Albert they can.

The Cardinals tend to rely on reclamation projects, low level free agents, and their own farm system so signing Pujols to a mega deal won't cripple them that much.

Carpenter turns 36 in april and won't have a lot of teams throwing big money at him. Wainwright has something like 3 options that can kick in at various times and take his contract thru 2014. They could lose Yadier Molina at some point. By the time guys like Rasmus, Garcia, and Freese run out of arbitration eligability Holliday's contract will be almost over and probably not impossible to move depending on how Holliday holds up physically.

This is a good assessment of how I feel.

There is no reason for the ownership to not give him what he wants.

Best Player in Baseball? Yes.
One of, if not the best Cardinal? Yes.

And if they have to, I say backload the contract. 23-25 million for the first few years and then bump it up to 30 million the rest of the way. Seeing as how contracts are handed out these days, $30 million in 5-6 years will be a bargain for the best player in the game (assuming he still is the best player in 5-6 years).

[DieHardYankee26]

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

This is a good assessment of how I feel.

There is no reason for the ownership to not give him what he wants.

Best Player in Baseball? Yes.
One of, if not the best Cardinal? Yes.

And if they have to, I say backload the contract. 23-25 million for the first few years and then bump it up to 30 million the rest of the way. Seeing as how contracts are handed out these days, $30 million in 5-6 years will be a bargain for the best player in the game (assuming he still is the best player in 5-6 years).

He won't be.