ConstableRabbit

This is so weird...why would the Cubs even be bothering being involved when they're almost surely not going to match those years. And it's not like they can drive the bidding up any higher than the Marlins already have. What if the Cubs are offering significantly more AAV on a shorter contract? Like 4/$120 or 5/$150? Surely that'd keep them in the conversation. I guess I don't know why Pujols would take that, unless he's not about the total dollars and is more focused on being the highest paid guy in annual salary. He'd have $150m through age 36-37, but assuming Miami is offering 10/$220m, I don't think Albert could get > $70, over the rest of his career. And that's not factoring in the security of a 10-year deal. Or maybe he's not all about the money... I agree that I'd think that kind of contract would work much better for Prince. But maybe Pujols has enough ego to think he can maintain his success well enough for another deal? That's a possibility, but even then: for how long does he think he can play at a high level? Age 40? To assume he'd get even equal money to that $220m deal he'd have to get $70m over his age 38, 39, and 40 seasons. $23m is on the pretty high end of what someone would pay an aging hitter. Manny was still productive and got less. I just don't see him picking a medium-term deal over a long one, unless the shorter deal really blows him out of the water (e.g., 5/180).

This is so weird...why would the Cubs even be bothering being involved when they're almost surely not going to match those years. And it's not like they can drive the bidding up any higher than the Marlins already have. What if the Cubs are offering significantly more AAV on a shorter contract? Like 4/$120 or 5/$150? Surely that'd keep them in the conversation. I guess I don't know why Pujols would take that, unless he's not about the total dollars and is more focused on being the highest paid guy in annual salary. He'd have $150m through age 36-37, but assuming Miami is offering 10/$220m, I don't think Albert could get > $70, over the rest of his career. And that's not factoring in the security of a 10-year deal. Or maybe he's not all about the money...

Sitting at a bar in SF right now hearing Giants fans complain about it

So far I have Vaughn and Babe Ruth.... can we just average the 2?

As much as it pains me to say, I'd be [expletive] ecstatic at first.

There were reports earlier that implied that Pujols was going to be offered a partial ownership stake upon retirement.

Pics here: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2011/12/06/sold-to-the-epstein-family-for-325m-one-stuffy-manse.php

Do you know many 24 year olds with a 120 OPS+ in 800+ PA's? I can read a B-R page -- this was asked in the context of LoMo being the centerpiece of a potential Garza deal. Unless he's going to get better, I'd rather pay for a better OF and stick with my 28 year old 3-WAR SP... or take my chances with Gordon.

The Cubs have put offers for more AAV and less years out there. If Fielder and Pujols would rather more overall money for greater length, and there are teams out there willing to go that far, there's not a whole lot the Cubs can do about it except plan for other directions. Hence my curiosity, lol I'd imagine they'll explore trade options. With all the hitting the Marlins are allegedly signing, their rotation could still use some serious help. Maybe they're a candidate for a Garza, Marmol or Zambrano, and the Cubs could land Morrison and some long-term high-end prospects in exchange. Can someone explain the appeal of Morrison? I understand that he's young and cheap, but can't we do better than an 800 OPS from a corner OF spot? What's his ceiling?

The Cubs have put offers for more AAV and less years out there. If Fielder and Pujols would rather more overall money for greater length, and there are teams out there willing to go that far, there's not a whole lot the Cubs can do about it except plan for other directions. This.

Huh? Assuming he means there'd be player options involved... from years 3 onward?

Yep, here's the clip from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch I know that last line isn't about the Cubs but I had to leave it in. Getting nervous, Bill?

The comments on that article are hilarious: Steve Stone? Is that you?

Muskat, I can understand: she works for the Cubs and I'm sure they can tell her to write whatever. She's not an actual journalist. But Sullivan? What a moron.

Geovany Soto.

I looked up the Theo Millar interview and watched this video. I got really confused... haha

Haha same here. He came from a winning team, was supposedly a great fielder and had those cool flip-downs. That was like the first time I realized how stupid Cubs management can be, going after a guy because of how well he hit in Wrigley Field. Overpaying for a well past his prime "proven veteran" coming off a fluke career year. If I weren't 11 and a new baseball fan, I likely would'be flipped out.

He also has a 27.00 ERA in All-Star games.

samplesizesamplesizesamplesizesamplesizesamplesizesamplesizesamplesize

Haha same here. He came from a winning team, was supposedly a great fielder and had those cool flip-downs.

Another NSBB meme jumps the shark.

NU did plenty to shoot itself in the foot (missed 3s in particular), but Baylor is pretty damn good.

I was hoping that Northwestern would end up jumping Purdue and end up in Dallas, but this Houston match-up is a real treat. Didn't think PSU would actually drop this far...

Nope because then he'd just ask for his job backbackbackbackbackbackbackbackbackback

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-cubs-1130-pujols,0,702624,post.poll [not Rosenbloom]