If you listened to sports talk radio at all yesterday you probably heard discussion of this article by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. The article speculates a few scenarios for what the St Louis Cardinals can do if they cannot re-sign Albert Pujols. One of them is trading Pujols for Phillies first basemen Ryan Howard. If a deal like this were ever to happen, and I don't believe it would, Pujols could end up with a contract of 10 years $300 million dollars. Howard currently is signed to a contract that ends in 2016 with a club option for 2017. He would end up making $158 million total from 2011 to 2017 if that club option is picked up. Pujols is a phenomenal player and is considered one of the best ever so it would be rather foolish to not want to have him on your team. One of the knocks about this fantasy trade is that Pujols would be 41 when the deal is over. You might get another 5 quality years out of him and for the rest of that contract he could be eating up salary not performing to a level at which he is paid. However, I would gladly take 5 years on the back end of Pujols being "lousy" because the prospect of winning multiple World Series within the next 5 years got just that more attainable. The thing that doesn't concern me that much about Pujol's age is that he has never finished a season with a batting average under .300. (His lowest was actually last year with .312) Howard has a career average of .279. If Pujols' average dips down to .279 when he is older that would still be an improvement over an aging Ryan Howard. If offered that deal I would do it in a heartbeat. Money comes and goes but championship wins stay with you forever.
Written by Ballgame
Finally, a blog with an opinion that isn't arrogant or a waste of time to read. Thank you Ballgame. You make great points, but I would stick with Howard. Not really a Pujols fan. Just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWELCOME BACK BALLGAME!!!!! Excellent article!
ReplyDeleteRH bat, better defense, better offense (.300 +, 40 HRs, 140 RBI's, under 100 K's). Good luck in Saint Louis Ryan. I heard from another ex-Phillie that it is 'heaven' there!
ReplyDelete@gibby53...I love the Big Piece more than anyone, but if you don't want to make this deal your crazy. It will never happen but if it was possible I would carry Howard on my back to St Louis. Plus Pujols is a Gold Glove 1st basemen, hits for a higher avg. Howard has more power but Pujols is a better player, and it isn't even close.
ReplyDeleteDB I know he's talented. Just don't like him. He is now starting to show he really doesn't want to stay in St Louis, and is just plain greedy.
ReplyDelete@gibby53...He's the best player in baseball. If ARoid is getting $250+ million, what is Pujols worth? Nothing to do with greed, man just wants to get what he's worth. They ALL make way too much.
ReplyDelete“The great trouble with baseball today is that most of the players are in the game for the money and that's it, not for the love of it, the excitement of it, the thrill of it.” -Ty Cobb
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