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…
Yes, the Daily Pujols has finally COME BACK to Pitchers Hit Eighth. My apologies for leaving you three in the lurch, I owe you some Honkin’ for Jaime t-shirts. In the interest of playing catch-up, I’ve decided to pare back this version to links I suspect some of you may not have seen – that means likely very little P-D, very little national ESPN/Fox/etc stuff. Hope it’s still enjoyable for you, and we’ll return with a more regular DP going forward.
Local
Dan Caesar with a Pujols column? Oh come on, what did I do to deserve this gem? Hopefully this huge DP gets some “hits” for PH8.
A Post-Dispatch Letter to the Editor thinks that St. Louis should consider that there will be police cuts if Pujols is signed. Wait, did I get that right? Police cuts because Pujols is a super-hero? Right? (Ok, I’m not making light of the city’s issues, but you have to admit it’s a strangely written letter.)
Cal Ripken told KMOX he thinks Albert will stay in St. Louis, adding that contract negotiations once hampered him during a season. I didn’t realize Cal was not skilled in multi-tasking.
Some Weiner showed up at the Cards’ camp in Jupiter to talk to players and the manager.
National
Michael Wilbon wrote one of the better pieces I’ve read about Albert Pujols potentially signing with the Cubs. If ever there is a team who shouldn’t be concerned with the ramifications of being tied to a big contract at the end, it’s the Cubs right? Sign Pujols to the massive 10/300 deal, and even if he’s overpaid by the end – if he leads them to multiple playoff appearances or even *GASP* a World Series title – the North Siders would live with those overpaid years.
Pujols to the Nats? Sure, why not? Everyone is a CONTENDAH!
John Finger at CSNPhilly.com starts throwing around a far more crooked number than 3 and a bunch of zeroes. I think he was kidding. Right?
Holy hell, I wouldn’t have believed this if I didn’t read it myself:
You could even argue that Pujols is already paid too much. According to fangraphs.com, another respected statistics site, among position players, Pujols finished third in WAR in 2010, behind Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds. Hamilton received a $3.25 million salary last season; having generated 8.0 wins above replacement, each of Hamilton’s wins cost the Rangers $406,250. Votto was a true steal: at a $525,000 salary and 7.4 WAR, he cost the Reds just $70,946 per win. Pujols, on the other hand, cost the Cardinals close to $2 million per win ($14,595,953 in salary; 7.3 WAR). In fact, among the top 10 leaders in WAR, Pujols ranked ninth in cost per win.
Yes, Sean Gregory – since baseball still pays it’s young, indentured players’ salaries’ hostage, we can succinctly deduce that Pujols was GROSSLY overpaid. Effing what?
Cincinnati.com says Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. could suffer the same place in history as his father (who traded away Frank Robinson) if Pujols leaves on his watch.
Bryan Hoch at MLB.com reports that Mark Teixeira doesn’t have any plans to waive his no-trade clause anytime soon. So who will DH then, him or Pujols?
I wonder if Bill Hart actually gets paid money to write for the Abilene Reporter-News? If so, count me as fascinated.
Jim Ingraham writes, “Cleveland to St. Louis: Welcome to our world.” And later, “Cleveland to St. Louis: Trust us, this will not end well.” Albert’s taking his talents to the North Side! (Just kidding, stop hyperventilating.)
Scott Lauber reports that Adrian Gonzalez isn’t (wasn’t?) planning on raising his demands based upon any Pujols deal.
This edition of “Where’s Albert?” lands him with the Dodgers.
Chuck Garfien reports that Kenny Williams wants some team to STOP THE INSANITY!
A bold prediction at the bottom of this piece in Ohio State’s The Lantern: “The Cardinals and Pujols will secretly negotiate during the season and work out a deal that satisfies both parties. Prediction: 9 years, $262 million.”
The New York Post counts the Cardinals as the favorite to re-sign Pujols, and they assign odds to the potential bidders.
Larry Hicks of the York (PA) Dispatch says Pujols is worth a ten-year contract.
David Hale at The News Journal (Wilmington DE) has some interesting comments from Mike Schmidt about the Pujols contract. Schmidt sheds light on the ‘top dog’ desire, versus just money. Interesting, really.
Frank Thomas told the Chicago Tribune that Pujols “of course” is worth $30 million per year, and “…definitely should be the highest-paid player.” But Frank also thinks the National League should adopt the designated hitter, so take his opinion for what it is worth.
Blogs
Brock Cohen at River Avenue Blues eats Colin Cowherd‘s lunch. Nice work Brock.
Fire Brand of the AL tries to work Pujols into the Red Sox lineup, but I still just don’t think AP is willing to DH. You?
Dave Cameron at Fangraphs writes about linear win value versus the win value provided by a superstar – it’s really good stuff. Actually, anything Dave writes is really good stuff. Read it.
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{ 2 comments }
I followed you over here from Twitter. Nice web-site you have here. I hate to say it, but I think this will not be an easy year for Cardinals fans. I hope I’m wrong. I also hope Pujols doesn’t sign with the Yanks. It’ll certainly be interesting.
Best Regards, Bill
Thanks for reading and the kind words, Bill!
The year certainly hasn’t started off well, that’s for certain. If they can make it out of Jupiter with 25 guys healthy, that will be a start!
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