Pujols signs with Angels pg 151

[DivineBovine]

There is no way Pujols will be a Cub.

 

1. The Cubs will not be the highest bidder. What has Ricketts done to make anyone think that we would possibly pay the man what he wants.

2. It would be the biggest FU to the Cards for him to come to the Cubs. I don't think he'd do it unless he had no options elsewhere.

[Guest]

There is no way Pujols will be a Cub.

 

1. The Cubs will not be the highest bidder. What has Ricketts done to make anyone think that we would possibly pay the man what he wants.

2. It would be the biggest FU to the Cards for him to come to the Cubs. I don't think he'd do it unless he had no options elsewhere.

 

 

Really? The guy has owned the team for one year and has been saddled with a freak-ton of awful contracts. What opportunity has he had to show anything?

[Sammy Sofa]

1. The Cubs will not be the highest bidder. What has Ricketts done to make anyone think that we would possibly pay the man what he wants.

 

Because it's Albert [expletive] Pujols. There's absolutely no comparison to any other player that the Cubs could have acquired in the short time that the Ricketts have owned the Cubs. It's ridiculous to dismiss the idea that they wouldn't do anything they could to sign him if he was available.

[SouthSideRyan]

1. What has Ricketts done to make you think he wouldn't get in a bidding war for Pujols?

 

2. Cardinals fans are going to hate Pujols if he signs anywhere but St. Louis. They're used to being fellated by everyone about how great their town is and how great they are. If Albert dared to walk away from the heaven on earth that is St. Louis, they'll have the Pujols mows my lawn shirts ready to ship the next day.

[DivineBovine]

OK. Geez. So maybe Ricketts haven't proven they are cheapskates. I've actually been a Ricketts supporter. But they have actually cut payroll and have had pretty strict constraints on it.

 

And to say a new owner is going to throw a record contract at anyone and outbid everyone is the league for him- to me, an owner has to prove he's willing to do that. Not the other way around.

 

Who wouldn't want Pujols? He's the best hitter in the league. But too bad we're not the only ones who think so.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

If the Cubs get Pujols PECOTA will project the Cubs at 65 wins.

 

I would rather have Fielder at 8yrs 200mil than Pujols at 8-10 years 240-300. I would take the chance on Fielder's weight over Pujols's age and eventually finding out he was a roider.

[TruffleShuffle]

I would rather have Fielder at 8yrs 200mil than Pujols at 8-10 years 240-300. I would take the chance on Fielder's weight over Pujols's age and eventually finding out he was a roider.

 

i could not disagree more.

 

and why do you think that pujols might be using steroids but don't seem to think there's a possibility that prince is?

[Sammy Sofa]

OK. Geez. So maybe Ricketts haven't proven they are cheapskates. I've actually been a Ricketts supporter. But they have actually cut payroll and have had pretty strict constraints on it.

 

And to say a new owner is going to throw a record contract at anyone and outbid everyone is the league for him- to me, an owner has to prove he's willing to do that. Not the other way around.

 

But you can't really compare anything that the Ricketts have or haven't done to the idea of Pujols being available. That's some completely other level isht. They've put constraints on the payroll to keep Hendry from signing Hendry guys, not possibly the greatest hitter in the history of the game.

[Guest]

I would rather have Fielder at 8yrs 200mil than Pujols at 8-10 years 240-300. I would take the chance on Fielder's weight over Pujols's age and eventually finding out he was a roider.

 

i could not disagree more.

 

and why do you think that pujols might be using steroids but don't seem to think there's a possibility that prince is?

 

Because Prince is (was?) fat, duh.

[TruffleShuffle]

WAR the last four seasons (using B-R)

 

fielder: 16.1

pujols: 34.3

 

so pujols has been more than twice as valuable as fielder. and even if you don't like WAR because you're not too sure about defensive metrics (but they probably have it right with pujols and fielder - pujols is excellent defensively and fielder is below average), two of the last four years, fielder has had an OPS below .900. are you really going to be happy with that for $25m a year when you could have a guy whose worst single-season OPS is .955?

[Clem Fandango]

I believe davell mentioned a few pages back that the Cubs have a possible $46 million coming off the books next season. Even after arbitration raises I'd say there'd still be plenty of money available in the Cubs budget to fit a $30 million/yr contract for the greatest player to play the game so far this millennium.

[Guest]

I believe davell mentioned a few pages back that the Cubs have a possible $46 million coming off the books next season. Even after arbitration raises I'd say there'd still be plenty of money available in the Cubs budget to fit a $30 million/yr contract for the greatest player to play the game so far this millennium.

 

And even more coming off after 2012 with Zambrano likely not vesting the option for 2013, Dempster, Byrd and Marshall also coming off the books as well. That's another 40m.

[Cubswin11]

I believe davell mentioned a few pages back that the Cubs have a possible $46 million coming off the books next season. Even after arbitration raises I'd say there'd still be plenty of money available in the Cubs budget to fit a $30 million/yr contract for the greatest player to play the game so far this millennium.

 

And even more coming off after 2012 with Zambrano likely not vesting the option for 2013, Dempster, Byrd and Marshall also coming off the books as well. That's another 40m.

Isn't Dempster a FA after this coming season?

[Guest]

I believe davell mentioned a few pages back that the Cubs have a possible $46 million coming off the books next season. Even after arbitration raises I'd say there'd still be plenty of money available in the Cubs budget to fit a $30 million/yr contract for the greatest player to play the game so far this millennium.

 

And even more coming off after 2012 with Zambrano likely not vesting the option for 2013, Dempster, Byrd and Marshall also coming off the books as well. That's another 40m.

Isn't Dempster a FA after this coming season?

 

Dempster has a 14m PLAYER option for 2012. I suppose he could elect to become a free agent, but I'm inclined to believe he'd pick up that option unless he pitches out of his mind this year.

 

And if the Cubs can actually produce some serviceable big leaguers at several positions, it would make affording Pujols even easier. But, I just couldn't imagine the Cardinals not working something out with him. They had to have him in mind when they were signing all these other long term deals. Right?

[KingCubsFan]

I believe davell mentioned a few pages back that the Cubs have a possible $46 million coming off the books next season. Even after arbitration raises I'd say there'd still be plenty of money available in the Cubs budget to fit a $30 million/yr contract for the greatest player to play the game so far this millennium.

 

And even more coming off after 2012 with Zambrano likely not vesting the option for 2013, Dempster, Byrd and Marshall also coming off the books as well. That's another 40m.

Isn't Dempster a FA after this coming season?

 

Dempster has a 14m PLAYER option for 2012. I suppose he could elect to become a free agent, but I'm inclined to believe he'd pick up that option unless he pitches out of his mind this year.

 

And if the Cubs can actually produce some serviceable big leaguers at several positions, it would make affording Pujols even easier. But, I just couldn't imagine the Cardinals not working something out with him. They had to have him in mind when they were signing all these other long term deals. Right?

Unless they figured that he'd give them another discount. Something like 6/150.

[UMFan83]

I think I'd rather have the rest of Soriano's contract than Fielder at 8 years, 200 million.

[davell]

I think Pujols is riskier than Fielder personally. But, I also acknowledge the payoff is much bigger as well. At least for the next 4-5 years anyway.

 

 

After that, it basically becomes pick your poison: Prince's weight issues in his early 30's or Albert's elbow in his late 30's?

[Splendid Splinter]

I think Pujols is riskier than Fielder personally. But, I also acknowledge the payoff is much bigger as well. At least for the next 4-5 years anyway.

 

 

After that, it basically becomes pick your poison: Prince's weight issues in his early 30's or Albert's elbow in his late 30's?

 

 

I rather chance it with Pujol's elbow... He's been playing with it basically his whole career (supposely and I know it started very early in his career anyway from what I can remember???) and hasn't broken down yet... Plus that little clean up surgery he had a couple years ago (I think 2 years ago) I think helped him put off major surgery until he's retires IMO. Then again, it can break down cuz he's getting older and played a lot more. Either I wouldn't want to give either one more than a 6 year deal, but if I HAD to make a choice on which one to give a 7 or more year deal... it would be Pujols.

[CubsWin]

4 days until Pujols reports to camp.

[Soul]

Yeah, ESPN is featuring the Pujols talk now, with Olney giving an extended piece on it this morning.

 

The Cubs would never be an option, but I'm intrigued by the possibility that Pujols is just too expensive for the Cardinals, and might therefore go to one of the Red Sox or Yankees. Getting him out of the NL would benefit the Cubs.

[Clem Fandango]

St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz thinks Albert Pujols' spring training deadline "essentially is bogus" and is "merely the first checkpoint" in extension talks.

Pujols wants to avoid distractions over his contract during the season, but Miklasz rightly points out that Pujols and agent Dan Lozano will surely still consider any legitimate proposal after the deadline, so February 16 isn't necessarily a make-or-break date. In related news, the Cardinals plan to publicly address the negotiations on Wednesday whether they have an agreement in place or not. Cards GM John Mozeliak to this point has declined comment on whether the team has made a formal offer to Pujols.

[Guest]

Yeah, ESPN is featuring the Pujols talk now, with Olney giving an extended piece on it this morning.

 

The Cubs would never be an option, but I'm intrigued by the possibility that Pujols is just too expensive for the Cardinals, and might therefore go to one of the Red Sox or Yankees. Getting him out of the NL would benefit the Cubs.

 

 

Why would the Cubs, with an opening at the position and a ton of money coming off the books, never be an option, but the Red Sox and Yankees, who both have very big long term money tied up at 1B be likely destinations?

[Splendid Splinter]

Yeah, ESPN is featuring the Pujols talk now, with Olney giving an extended piece on it this morning.

 

The Cubs would never be an option, but I'm intrigued by the possibility that Pujols is just too expensive for the Cardinals, and might therefore go to one of the Red Sox or Yankees. Getting him out of the NL would benefit the Cubs.

 

 

Why would the Cubs, with an opening at the position and a ton of money coming off the books, never be an option, but the Red Sox and Yankees, who both have very big long term money tied up at 1B be likely destinations?

 

 

Because that's all ESPN cares about in MLB... Red Sox or Yankees. So naturally that's where they want every good FA to go to...

[Post Count Padder]

Joel Sherman:

 

Albert Pujols is a combination of Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. He is as important to the Cardinals historically as Jeter is to the Yankees. And he wants a payday in the A-Rod stratosphere (10 years, $275 million).

 

But the Cardinals are worrying about giving a deal of that size to a player who will be 31 this year, especially because they also have to continue to pay big bucks to Matt Holliday, Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and — before long — possibly Jaime Garcia and Colby Rasmus.

 

The sides reportedly are not close, and Pujols has set a Wednesday deadline, saying if he reports for his walk year without a new deal, he will suspend all negotiations until after the season. The Cardinals’ nightmare scenario is not only losing their best player since Stan Musial to free agency, but having their main rival, the Cubs, use the deep pockets of the new Ricketts ownership to land a player that an AL executive said, “would be to the Cubs what [barry] Bonds was to the Giants, but with a nicer face and nine games a year at Busch Stadium.”

 

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/pujols_pact_tops_hardball_T31EbHHF19ksfIryzjcQRM

[Guest]

Yeah, ESPN is featuring the Pujols talk now, with Olney giving an extended piece on it this morning.

 

The Cubs would never be an option, but I'm intrigued by the possibility that Pujols is just too expensive for the Cardinals, and might therefore go to one of the Red Sox or Yankees. Getting him out of the NL would benefit the Cubs.

 

 

Why would the Cubs, with an opening at the position and a ton of money coming off the books, never be an option, but the Red Sox and Yankees, who both have very big long term money tied up at 1B be likely destinations?

 

 

Because that's all ESPN cares about in MLB... Red Sox or Yankees. So naturally that's where they want every good FA to go to...

 

 

Except I'm arguing with Soul, not ESPN.