Our Thoughts on Pujols
*UPDATED 2/17/11*
With what has been labeled as “Albertageddon Day” upon us, some of our staff takes a look at the different perspectives this day brings from both the Cubs and Cardinals sides.
First, a Cardinals fan perspective:
1) If the Cardinals were to give Pujols a 10-year, $300 million contract, would you be happy?
Soebeck: Sure. Will he be worth 30 million in 10 years? Is anyone ever worth 30 million? However, 7 or 8 more years of the best player in baseball is worth it.
Jeff: I’d be happy for the first 5 years, sure. But I don’t think hamstringing the franchise in the long run is a good idea. Shorter years, higher annual value would be my preference.
2) What is the max contract offer you would like to see the Cardinals offer Pujols?
Soebeck: 32 million/yr for 7 years.
Jeff: 8 years/225 m.
3) If Pujols doesn’t sign with the Cardinals, would you be happy if the Cubs sign him to a 10 year deal?
Soebeck: Ummmm… no. I don’t want to see Albert in opposing gear 200 times in the next 10 years.
Jeff: I wouldn’t be happy, but the Cubs are where a number of great Cardinals (see Dean, Dizzy; Hornsby, Rogers; Edmonds, Jim) go to die. So I guess there would be some precedent for it.
4) If a deal doesn’t get done, will it be a distraction for the Cardinals during the season?
Soebeck: Naw, we are strong. We are the freaking Cardinals… we aren’t the Cubs.
Jeff: Losing will be the only distraction for the Cardinals during the season. I’m worried about the hard charging Reds and the lingering effects of last year’s mind numbingly incompetent team on this year’s squad, not contract negotiations.
5) Prince Fielder is most likely going to be available after this season. Would you be ok paying him $20-25 million a year for 4-5 years to replace Albert?
Soebeck: No, with his physical stature (or lack thereof – how does a vegetarian look like that?) he is a break down waiting to happen. I would be ok with absorbing Teixeira’s contract if we could work out a trade for him this season.
Jeff: Hell no. Bad body player who brings none of the defense or leadership that Albert brings.
6) Will Albert Pujols be reporting to Spring Training in 2012 wearing another uniform? If so, which one?
Soebeck: I still really believe he will be wearing Cardinal red, but if not he will be a Yankee. When have they ever let money or the fact that they have a position covered stop them?
Jeff: I think so. I think the smart $ is on the Angels. They have a chance to win in their weak ass division and I don’t think Pujols wants to play for a losing team like the Cubs.
From Cubs’ fans perspective:
1) If the Cardinals were to give Pujols a 10-year, $300 million contract, would you be happy?
Dustin: Albert’s not getting any younger, so by the end of that contract I would be happy as a Cubs fan.
John Mark: I would love to see the Cardinals pay Pujols $30 a season. The truth is, he’s probably worth it. When you factor in the discount Albert gave the Cardinals the first time around and then figure how much money Albert brings your organization in through ticket sales and merchandise, the Cardinals wouldn’t actually be spending that much more on Pujols than they would be on a Prince Fielder, etc. at millions less. The salary looks scary, but the bottom line is probably about the same. That being said, a payroll budget is still a budget. After spending what would be around $50 million a year on Pujols and Holliday, I think it would give the Cubs an advantage down the road as the Cardinals would be strapped to make big additions. Soriano’s contract has limited the Cubs options and so will $30 million a season going to Pujols- especially when he’s in his late 30’s and not putting up the same numbers as he is now.
2) If the Cardinals fail to sign Pujols, what is the max contract offer ($ and years) you would want to see the Cubs offer Pujols?
Dustin: The max contract offer I would want to see is $30-35 million a year for 5 years.
John Mark: I would be comfortable with the Cubs offering 6 years at $30 million a year, if only to stick it to the Cardinals. I don’t think Pujols will take anything less than 6 years, and he may have a tough time finding anyone willing to give him more than 8. Unfortunately if anyone will, it’s the Cubs.
3) Who would you rather have playing first for the Cubs- Pujols for around $30 million a year, Prince Fielder for around $20-25 million a year, or someone else?
Dustin: I would rather have Pujols at first for $30 million a year. What team doesn’t want Pujols? Albert is pricey because he is one of the best in the game today. If Ryan Howard can make $25 million a year, Pujols is worth the $30 million.
John Mark: Again, I think after you factor in ticket sales and revenue from merchandise, $30 million a year for Pujols and around $23 million a year for Fielder is probably a wash. It depends on how many years we’re talking. Fielder is younger (and fatter). I also don’t necessary believe that Pujols is only 31 either. After the steroid era, players just don’t last as long and I’d be worried about the kind of production even a healthy Pujols could give you after 35.
4) If the Cubs sign Pujols to a $30 million deal, will they be able to compete with Pujols and Soriano making almost $50 million between them?
Dustin: I think it would hurt, but the Cubs could count on a few young guys and find some deals in free agency to pick up some role players.
John Mark: No. We’ve already seen the financial constraints the Cubs have dealt with over the past couple of seasons because of bad contracts (Soriano, Bradley, Zambrano, Fukudome). $50 million between Soriano and Pujols is just too much unless the Cubs somehow got career years from about 5 other guys in a season. I think the Cubs would make more money and would contend for a division title every year with Pujols. If that money is spent elsewhere (wisely), they would be a better team. The Cubs could get two really good players for the amount they would be paying Albert.
5) Will Albert Pujols be reporting to Spring Training in 2012 wearing another uniform? If so, which one?
Dustin: I think the Cardinals will find a way to resign Pujols, but if they don’t I would see him going to the Angels or Cubs.
John Mark: I don’t see Pujols leaving St. Louis in the end. As much as I can’t stand LaRussa and his constant whining about everything, I think he’s right when he says the players union is pushing Albert to hold out for the most money. In the end, I think it will only raise the amount the Cardinals end up paying him. I don’t think Pujols really cares about the money, though I think he does care about the respect he is given through the salary he is given. Albert is too ingrained in the St. Louis culture to leave if the offer is anywhere near what he would like. I think the only sticking point is the length of the contract. Regardless of the deadline given, if Pujols and the Cardinals don’t reach an agreement by February 16th I still think it can get done during or after the season.
I would love to see pujoles in a cubs uni! Can you imagine him hitting bombs at wrigley! That would be a sight to see everyday!