Bonus Bytes: What's up with Pujols?

[redbird89]

Albert Pujols . . . what's up with this guy? You may have read about his latest round of growling.

Speaking to USA Today, Pujols indicated he didn't care if the Cardinals gave his No. 5 to another player.

And writer Bob Nightengale indicated that Pujols doesn't care about receiving his 2011 World Series ring, and Pujols would be fine if Tony La Russa just dropped it off at some point this season.

There was also a Pujols reference to "haters" in St. Louis. And Pujols ripped the Miami Marlins for, well, something.

Three observations:

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...#ixzz1rDAUPYsR

The more Albert talks the more I'm glad he's gone. It will probably work out better for the Cardinals that Albert is gone. Albert just sounds like a whiny baby most of the time.

[Kyle man]

I never knew I could go from loving somebody more than just about anything to hating him more than just about anything.

I think he'll still be good for several years to come. I'm glad he's gone though.

[Jeffy25]

Did a breakdown of this explaining why extending Votto isn't in the Reds best interest, so I'll do it here.

Pujols WAR progression estimates show that the Cardinals are better off long term letting him go, even if he is a franchise icon that has left.

He is already into his decline, age 32 is the last year of your peak typically for hall of fame caliber players, they can last up to age 35-36 if they are really fortunate, but that's Hank Aaron, Stan Musial rare and I wouldn't bet against Pujols to have the ability to do that.

WAR and age season
32 - 6 WAR
33 - 5.5 WAR
34 - 5 WAR
35 - 4.5 WAR
36 - 3.5 WAR
37 - 3 WAR
38 - 2.5 WAR
39 - 2 WAR
40 - 1 WAR
41 - 0 WAR

And that's an average of 25 million bucks per season (let's assume that each season to make things easier)

That's 32 WAR at 250 million dollars. **** that!

You can hand Moz 25 million each season, and he can pick up any scrub in free agency and over 10 years get 32 WAR out of first base and he will only spend between 50-70 million bucks. That is 150-170 million to spend anywhere else on the team.

It's a no-brainer that the team is better off in the long run (plus two draft picks this year, including our first pick (19 overall)) With Votto there was a slightly better discussion.

This is a no-brainer, easy to decide that the team is far better off letting Pujols go if they intend to remain competitive for years to come

Btw, we are also happy that the Reds extended Votto, and will likely be overpaying Phillips as well. That's good news for us.

In order for Pujols to earn this contract, he will need to play another hall of fame career in these next ten years (literally 65 plus WAR). And he is very unlikely to do that.

[redbird89]

Pujols is hurt that the Cardinals didn't make a stronger effort to retain him. He's annoyed at the Miami Marlins, saying they lied when they pulled their $275 million offer off the table.

"Everybody knows the whole story. It was about a commitment. For an owner like Mr. (Arte) Moreno to come and make a commitment for 10 years to me, knowing that I don't have to go through free agency again, meant everything to me. Obviously, the Cardinals didn't think that way. They went their way. I went my way.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/314...on-my-shoulder

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Z7n5J2BDY...00/Crybaby.jpg

[JoeDirt05]

i dont mean to put it this way but pujols kinda sounds butt hurt to say the least

[Kyle man]

His pujols hurts...

okay that was bad...

I'm not disagreeing at all Jeffy. I think he'll be a lot better than he has showed in the last couple of years though. At least for 2-3 years. then I can see the 4th and 5th years as the start of the decline. by the 7th year he'll probably start visiting the DL a lot more.

And We offered 10 years. We just can't afford him for what he wants. He can go **** himself

[JoeDirt05]

if you look at terms of value by location our offer was the equivalent to what the angels offer us not being in a market like LA made the offer we gave the max we could go so really we did offer him a max deal that we could handle

[Tkais9009]

Pujols can go **** himself.... seriously. this kinda puts me over the edge. I wasn't a hater before, but after his comments, i may be one of the haters that he mentions. he's just such a little ****ing cry baby about it. "poor me... i have a chip on my shoulder cause they disrespected me". its a business for God's sake... move the **** on and realize we COULDN'T bring you back and still compete in our market.

the dude acts like its all about him. Doesn't acknowledge once that he appreciated the fans while he was here. just says there's a lot of haters. WELL NO **** SHERLOCK! you dumped us for money!!! of course people will think your a sleeze ball.

I hope, like he says, that the cards and angels meet in the world series. 2011 was an amazing world series and ill probably never see one thats better. but if we meet them and win... im sorry but that tops it.

one day... i hope he man's up and admits his mistake if he wants my respect back lol. in the mean time... go sit on the DL and collect that extra 3 million a year

Love, Tkais9009

[RTL]

I don't blame Pujols for feeling a little bitter as he wanted to stay and didn't feel like Moz gave a good enough effort. He had all the time in the world to get a deal done before free agency and didn't, for better or worse. Pujols will eventually get over it but for now, he feels hurt. In a couple of years and hopefully sooner, he will remember just how beloved he was in St. Louis and how much he misses it.

As for putting up another HOF career as an Angel, I think it's possible. He will have more rest in AL by DHing from time to time to keep him healthy. Plus I think he be a mainstay at 1B in future All Star games.

[rapjuicer06]

Pujols needs to just shut up and move on. It's so weird that he chose to leave, yet he won't shut up about it. The organization isn't saying **** about him, why can't he keep the Cards out of his mouth? I'm not as nice as you guys, I am a lower person and I wish ill things on that douche bag

[JoeDirt05]

he hasnt realized that he isnt the man of our city anymore and i dont think he realizes that he will never be the man of LA that belongs to Kobe and no one will take that from him so he is bitter about leaving us and the only way to make himself feel better about his choice is if he bashes the fans and the team

[RTL]

I'm not as nice as you guys, I am a lower person and I wish ill things on that douche bag

I find that to be classless and you should be ashamed to call yourself a Cards fan.

[Shlumpledink]

Dude is offended and holding a grudge. Hopefully he gets over it, we knew he was an emotional guy and he's showing that now. I just hope he doesn't let it affect his legacy, because he is hurting his standing with Cardinal faithful now.

[Fly]

C'mon man, just let it go. You left for an extra $3M a year, which upset your legacy as what would have been the greatest career out of any Cardinal ever (yes, better than Musial). Just stop running your mouth. It's hard to hate a man that I've worshiped for so long, but you are pushing me to that point.

[JoeDirt05]

well im gona call it right here and now Albert will break the all time record for hitting in double plays in a single season this year so far he is 1 for 1 with a hit into double play