Pujols to the Angels

[Valen]

[quote:d4d0261c8c]It's just I always thought Pujols was a little different. Of all players in all sports he was the one that I never thought would leave his team.
[/quote:d4d0261c8c]
Interesting perspective. We often think that about various players. I have to join you in thinking such things and being wrong. But what are we basing our thoughts on? The fact I thought that and was wrong does not make Pujols a bad or greedy guy, just means my evaluation thought process was off. Cardinals have consistently underpaid him relative to his performance as compared to the top tier of baseball. And realistically most of us knew they were unwilling to do so or they would have got him locked up last winter. Therefore was our expectations that he would play entire career in St. Louis realistic or misguided.

In hindsight as someone pointed out up to this point in his career he has been underpaid relative to what other players have made with comparable performance on field. Should we then have been surprised that once he had total freedom to go anywhere he would seek and get a contract that was in line with numbers he was putting up? Shouldn't we have all seen this coming?

But honestly relative to others with his potential how does this deal compare?

Is there anyone in baseball who will make less than Angels gave Pujols and is not limited by the FA rules who we seriously expect to have a better year? Anyone going to be surprised if he is the starting first baseman for the AL in 2012. Who puts up better numbers this year, Arod or Pujols. Teixeira or Pujols, Gonzalez or Pujols? Should he not then make more than Tex, Arod, or Gonzalez if he is better?

[ozziesmith]

I am sad to see Pujols leave but it will not diminish the 11 great seasons he gave Cardinal fans.

I do not blame the Cardinals organization for the approach they took as they made a business decision that a 10 year guarantee of the amount Pujols ultimately received would be unwise to give a 32 year old (turns 32 next month) that has shown some wear and tear the past few years.

I also do not blame Pujols for making a business decision as well. He went for the most current money and it is hard to argue with that.

I nievely thought Pujols had "bought" into the Cardinal life and the community and looked forward to his lifetime iconic status he would have in St. Louis, at the same time having more money than he or his family could ever possibly spend. I realize the Angels gave him even more money, which got me to thinking...............does an athlete always go for the pure $$$$ play or when the money is huge no matter which option they take do they look at what makes them and their family happiest.

I make a lot less money than Pujols (A LOT LESS!!! LOL) but have turned down significantly higher paying opportunities in my life for quality of life issues. I am not alone in that regard. Maybe that is why I was nieve on the way the Pujols contract negotiations would play out.

In any case I hope Albert does well for the Angels and the Cardinal organization moves on to a different era with success as well.

Thanks for 11 great season as a Cardinal Albert.



8-)

[andycummings65]

Again, it's [b:77abdc1a12]not [/b:77abdc1a12]about the money. The money is a [b:77abdc1a12]barometer [/b:77abdc1a12]for a player, and Pujols looks and sees other players who are half the player he is get paid more than him. It is pride and prestige, not $$$ that ultimately runs these decisions.

If you work in an office for 10 years, and you are the best employee in your company, but some loser continually makes more than you do, you will begin to feel undervalued, then unappreciated, then cheated, and after 10 years of that, the next job offer from another company that offers what you think you are worth will land you..............And in [b:77abdc1a12]your [/b:77abdc1a12]mind it wont be about the money, it will be about your worth and value.

[PotKettleBlack]

[quote:c1b88a4d21="ozziesmith"]I do not blame the Cardinals organization for the approach they took as they made a business decision that a 10 year guarantee of the amount Pujols ultimately received would be unwise to give a 32 year old (turns 32 next month) that has shown some wear and tear the past few years.

I also do not blame Pujols for making a business decision as well. He went for the most current money and it is hard to argue with that. [/quote:c1b88a4d21]

Well said.

[keyzick]

I say congrats to Albert, congrats to the Angels. I don't agree with those who say the Angels are instantly favorites in the West, though.

Offensively:
Trumbo is 25(?), and had breakout season. Assuming he has his best years to come.

Morales is 25, had his breakout season in 2009, played 1/3 of 2010, and none of 2011. He has to be considered a big question mark based on health alone.

After that:
Wells - 33 and on on the decline
Abreu - 37 and on on the decline
Hunter - 36 and on on the decline

The Angels just don't have anywhere near the offensive firepower of the Rangers...not to mention (as someone did earlier) that they haven't been impressive in the OBP department either.

Now, their Pitching is a completely different story. Weaver, Haren, Santana, and now CJ...fantastic and deep starting rotation.

Now that might make them contenders, but I still wouldn't write them in as instant favorites for the division.

[PotKettleBlack]

[quote:8ab8e9c77e="andycummings65"]Again, it's [b:8ab8e9c77e]not [/b:8ab8e9c77e]about the money. The money is a [b:8ab8e9c77e]barometer [/b:8ab8e9c77e]for a player, and Pujols looks and sees other players who are half the player he is get paid more than him. It is pride and prestige, not $$$ that ultimately runs these decisions.

If you work in an office for 10 years, and you are the best employee in your company, but some loser continually makes more than you do, you will begin to feel undervalued, then unappreciated, then cheated, and after 10 years of that, the next job offer from another company that offers what you think you are worth will land you..............And in [b:8ab8e9c77e]your [/b:8ab8e9c77e]mind it wont be about the money, it will be about your worth and value.[/quote:8ab8e9c77e]

You don't know that. you cannot unless you are in Pujols inner circle.
You can kid yourself that it's about respect if you see someone else in your field making a lot more money than you, but at the end of the day, you want the money to do more/better stuff.

Pujols is a standup guy. I get that from his dating and marrying a girl with a kid from another man, and a kid with Down syndrome at that. His foundation does a lot for kids in the same situation who don't have adoptive fathers like Albert Pujols (among other things, like sending aid and dentists to the DR). More money means more stuff, and a bigger reach for his charitable work. It means more ways to give glory to God http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Pujols#cite_note-95
Not what I'd do with that kind of money, but I'm not as dedicated to my craft as he is to his. And I chose poorly (math/reading/geek stuff over sports).

[Valen]

I like your evaluation up until you mentioned the pitching. I could have done without being reminded what their rotation will look like with CJ added.
:lol:

Your logic on those around Pujols seems sound. If those you list as declining continue to decline and Trumbo/Morales do not contribute as I expect Pujols could end up getting pitched around a lot ala Barry Bonds.

I do expect Trumbo to move to third and continue to improve at the plate. And I am expecting Moreles to return as DH and put up good numbers which would displace one of those declining hitters you list. That was a freak injury in 2010 and should be healed by now. I also expect a bit of a rebound from Wells and Hunter.

Plus I think their young CFer is the real deal and among the elite defenders in CF. I also expect Mike Trout to arrive this year and have a solid season displacing another one of those declining outfielders. That means they really only need one of them to rebound.

If I am right Angels will score runs. If I am wrong Pujols probably gets pitched around a lot.

Here is hoping I am terribly wrong on all counts and you turn out to be much smarter than me on this one. :lol:

[Valen]

[quote:56d9580a25]Pujols is a standup guy...........[/quote:56d9580a25]

I was not aware of all that stuff you mentioned. Thanks for sharing the information.

[keyzick]

One quick note...this thread has been one of the more thoughtful and pleasant to read of the many that get started in this forum.

Good to see everyone's varying viewpoints and insight.

[andycummings65]

[quote:038be54f61]You can kid yourself that it's about respect if you see someone else in your field making a lot more money than you, but at the end of the day, you want the money to do more/better stuff. [/quote:038be54f61]

PKB, I know everybody wants to get paid and paid handsomely; I dont deny that at all. I'm talking about the difference between getting paid an insane amount of money by the Cardinals (220m or so?) to getting paid an even more insane amount (254m) by the Angels. Can 3m more a year mean THAT much?