On the morning of January 19th, I started collecting links – as many as I can find with minimal effort – that discuss the Albert Pujols contract discussions. Why? Who knows, yet here they are. Oh, and to serve you all, our three loyal readers! The Daily Pujols certainly won’t be a comprehensive list, but between local, national, and blog coverage, maybe you’ll find something here you otherwise wouldn’t. Without further delay, here is today’s Daily Pujols…
Local
Naturally much of the discussion in Joe Strauss’ chat from Wednesday at STLToday.com surrounded Pujols.
The St. Louis American is growing tired of the on-going negotiations already and would be happy to not see any more coverage until a deal is done. Good luck, especially as you’re adding to the coverage yourself.
Friend of PH8 Matt Sebek from Joe Sports Fan/KFNS put together a sappy montage of Pujols statements about wanting to stay in St. Louis, just as a reminder for the big fella. Big League Stew picked up on Sebek’s video as well.
Charlie Marlow from Fox 2 does some cost of living research on Albert’s projected new contract, helping Dan Lozano do his homework for his client.
Brian Walton writes at his Cardinal Nation Blog that he thinks the Cards and Pujols’ agent do not trust each other. It is certainly interesting to see the posturing on both sides that committed to “not negotiate in the press” and only time will tell who was working in good faith.
Other MSM
Bob Klapisch speculates at NorthJersey.com that the Mets would have to trade away some big salaries at the 2011 deadline to make a run at Pujols in the off-season. Then we find MORE WILD SPECULATION FROM SOMEONE REMOVED FROM THE SITUATION! Woohoo! The Cards and Pujols are “not close on the money,” and Pujols’ “next best bet is the Cubs.” I’m guessing you didn’t know that yet. *rolls eyes*
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Texas Rangers’ beat writer for that site, answered a mailbag question about the Rangers possibly signing Pujols after 2011. He notes that much depends on Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz‘s contract situations, adding that Adrian Beltre‘s recent big deal with the Rangers further inhibits their ability to go after Albert.
Patrick Rishe writes on Forbes.com that Prince Fielder‘s new one-year contract helps to set a bar for Pujols, but that comparisons are still difficult between the two.
Bob Lutz from the Wichita Eagle is nervous that the Lance Berkman signing might be foreshadowing a Pujols trade, leaving first base open for the Puma. (Nevermind those ten-and-five rights!)
Blogs
MetsBlog notes that Ike Davis is considering a move to the mound if the Mets could sign Albert Pujols. (Tongue-in-cheek of course, but it’s a good Tweet bite, right? Blogging Mets picked up on Davis’ comments as well.
Cork Gaines at Business Insider figures that the Cardinals can afford to pay Pujols $33mm per season and get a return on their investment, calculating in terms of WAR. Now all he has to do is continue to average 8.5 WAR for the term of that new deal.
The Biz of Baseball’s Matthew Coller says that John Mozeliak has to sign Pujols “to redeem [himself for] bad moves.” Coller then proceeds to list what he perceives to be Mo’s ‘misses’ without also listing successes. No mention of Matt Holliday. The much-maligned Ryan Ludwick trade is brought up without a reference to the success and re-signing of Jake Westbrook. In the biggest head-scratcher for me, Joel Pineiro is considered a failure because the Cards failed to re-sign him (nevermind the success of getting what they did out of Pineiro and then barely even attempting to re-sign him)? Finally, the Lance Berkman and Ryan Theriot moves are are brought up in the same context before the season has started.
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