Just give him a blank check already!

[EchoesIE]

I'm not a Cardinals fan, never been to St. Louis and couldn't even tell you the Cardinals starting shortstop -- but I can tell you that the Cardinals need to hand a blank check to Albert Pujols, have him fill in as many zero's as he wants and then cash it. Let the Cardinals write "Over 7 Years" in the note section, but let the Prince do the number writing. Pujols is a class-athlete, the best-bat in the big leagues by far, and does absolutely everything you ask of him on and off the field. I can't believe they're not going to resign the captain of the team. I think it's bigger than Jeter leaving the Yankees.

[LambeauLeap]

haven't been watching today so your post made me check. Going ot be a banner FA class next year if Fielder puts up some numbers this year.

[KCCardinalFan]

There are so many cooks in this kitchen, and it is getting rediculous. You have the GM, the agent, Albert, the MLBPA, all with their own interests.

As a lifetime Cardinal fan of 33 years old, Albert is the face of Cardinal baseball in my eyes even more so than Ozzie. But...we are not the Yankees or Red Sox and signing any player for $30 million a year handicaps most of what we can do for the life of that contract. We basically would have to have the top scouting and drafting front office in the league to compete, and our track record isn't anywhere close to that. What does Adam Wainwright command for a contract, $15 million per on the low end I'm sure, so you have $45-50 million wrapped up in two players? There is no way to compete as a mid-market team with that type of payroll commitment.

As much as this pains me, and trust me it hurts, I just can't see them signing him unless he is willing to take another discount and sign at $20-23 per, which is still a huge chunk but probably manageable.

[LambeauLeap]

These days it's harder for players in any sport to look past $$ to legacy.

[aaronweiner]

Well, the nice thing is that legacy pretty much gets rewritten as soon as you become a Yankee.

Oh no, I actually went there.

I have no idea where he'll sign, but I think it's fair that he's given them time to meet his demands and then will see what's on the open market. You know, it sounds really nice to say that he's going to make $20-23 million, but that's THREE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR, for four years, which is $12 million dollars. Most of us won't make that in our entire lifetimes, and he's supposed to give it up because he's supposed to keep playing in Saint Louis - where, I might add, they have not won a World Series, as hard as they've tried.

[KCCardinalFan]

Well, the nice thing is that legacy pretty much gets rewritten as soon as you become a Yankee.

Oh no, I actually went there.

I have no idea where he'll sign, but I think it's fair that he's given them time to meet his demands and then will see what's on the open market. You know, it sounds really nice to say that he's going to make $20-23 million, but that's THREE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR, for four years, which is $12 million dollars. Most of us won't make that in our entire lifetimes, and he's supposed to give it up because he's supposed to keep playing in Saint Louis - where, I might add, they have not won a World Series, as hard as they've tried.

That was basically my point, he took a discount the first time and I don't expect him to do it again.

BTW, he has a ring from their 2006 World Series title

[braveheart]

Problem is that Cards wont even get fair value in a trade. For a guy like thats its impossible to, unless you get a Walker-load.

[recte44]

Brewers signed Rickie Weeks to an extension today....

I figure this is what's going to happen:

Cubs will sign Pujols to a ridiculous contract, and he'll turn into Alfonso Soriano Part 2, because he's actually 36 years old and roided out.

Cards will sign Fielder to a big contract to replace him, they'll be happy for 2-3 years but then he'll have to be traded to the AL and DH.

Brewers move Corey Hart to 1B and play Mat Gamel in RF next year.

[jiminyhopkins]

As long as we're on the topic of first basemen....

I figure this is what's going to happen:

Cubs will sign Pujols to a ridiculous contract, and he'll turn into Alfonso Soriano Part 2, because he's actually 36 years old and roided out.

Cards will sign Fielder to a big contract to replace him, they'll be happy for 2-3 years but then he'll have to be traded to the AL and DH.

Brewers move Corey Hart to 1B and play Mat Gamel in RF next year.

Meanwhile, Miguel Cabrera wins 3 AL MVP Awards in the next 5 years! Go Tigers!

[lynchy34]

Adrian Gonzalez dislikes this.

[KCCardinalFan]

Adrian Gonzalez dislikes this.

Yeah, maybe. I mean that is the thing the Cardinals have in their favor is that the Red Sox and Yankees are set at First Base. Unless the Red Sox don't pursue an extension with the hope of signing Albert, which is a pretty big gamble. Regardless of who it is though, there will be teams and probably multiple teams willing to pay more than the Cardinals are/can.

[EchoesIE]

"Meanwhile, Miguel Cabrera wins 3 AL MVP Awards in the next 5 years! Go Tigers!

Ooooor, he gets suspended for an indeffinite period of time? There by shattering the dreams of all Tigers fans everywhere

[recte44]

As long as we're on the topic of first basemen....

I figure this is what's going to happen:

Cubs will sign Pujols to a ridiculous contract, and he'll turn into Alfonso Soriano Part 2, because he's actually 36 years old and roided out.

Cards will sign Fielder to a big contract to replace him, they'll be happy for 2-3 years but then he'll have to be traded to the AL and DH.

Brewers move Corey Hart to 1B and play Mat Gamel in RF next year.

Meanwhile, Miguel Cabrera gets 3 DUI's in the next 5 months! Go Carlos Guillen at first base!!!

Fixed that for you, Sean.

[jiminyhopkins]

Fixed that for you, Sean.

What a joke. This Tiger team is gonna drive me to drink. Heres to another 3rd place finish.

[jiminyhopkins]

GO TIGRES!!!!!!!!1!!

[jumpmancol]

Least he looks "happy" in that pic...