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Sunday, February 15, 2009

Pujols: Strategy will determine future with Cards

We’re so sorry…but we haven’t done a bloody thing all year.

Albert Pujols said Sunday that the St. Louis Cardinals’ commitment to winning will dictate if he re-signs with the club when his contract expires in two years.

“It’s not about the money all the time,” the first baseman said. “It’s about being in a place to win and being in a position to win.

“If the Cardinals are willing to do that and put a team (on the field) every year like they have, I’m going to try to work everything out to stay in this town. But if they’re not bringing championship caliber play every year, then it’s time for me to go somewhere else that I can win.”

...Pujols feels fortunate that he has been in the playoffs five of his eight seasons in the majors. But that trend must continue for him to wear a Cardinals uniform in 2011.

“I want to win, like our fans want to win, just like our manager wants to win, our coaching staff, everybody in this clubhouse, the front office,” Pujols said. “If they change their strategy then I’m going to have to change mine, too.”

Repoz Posted: February 15, 2009 at 11:29 PM | 25 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Tripon Posted: February 15, 2009 at 11:37 PM (#3077766)

So you're saying you're going to be a Red Sox in two years then?

2. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: February 15, 2009 at 11:50 PM (#3077773)

Albert is one of the few guys in the game where if he left I would absolutely agree with someone projecting a 10 game drop by St. Louis. He does 101 things other than be the best hitter around.

3. yb125 Posted: February 16, 2009 at 12:14 AM (#3077789)

Hmm So how many teams would fit into "bringing championship caliber play every year"? Or is he just saying if they are going to start rebuilding he is out?

4. A One-Shoed Craig K Posted: February 16, 2009 at 12:15 AM (#3077791)

I know the old saying about rooting for laundry, but yes, screw the Cardinals if they let him leave.

5. cardsfanboy

Posted: February 16, 2009 at 12:31 AM (#3077805)

I know the old saying about rooting for laundry, but yes, screw the Cardinals if they let him leave.

There is no reason that the Cardinals should allow Albert to leave. As it stands offensively they have a fine relatively young team that should be good for each of the next two years, but pitching will be an issue. Carpenter may never make it back, and outside of Wainwright, I'm not particulary fond of any of our current or future pitchers being an ace level. We'll have a very good bullpen in my opinion over the next several years, but they may be coming into the game too late.

6. Scott Kazmir's breaking balls Posted: February 16, 2009 at 12:34 AM (#3077809)

“It’s not about the money all the time,” the first baseman said.

Bwahahahaha. Yeah, right.

7. Portia Stanke Posted: February 16, 2009 at 01:34 AM (#3077847)

In yet another demonstration of ESPN's commitment to excellence in journalism, they forgot about the Cardinals' team option in 2011.

8. Teufel's Graveyard Posted: February 16, 2009 at 01:40 AM (#3077851)

In yet another demonstration of ESPN's commitment to excellence in journalism, they forgot about the Cardinals' team option in 2011.

This is an AP article on USA Today's web site.

9. Guts

Posted: February 16, 2009 at 01:47 AM (#3077855)

Albert's position is pretty reasonable, and if he's satisfied with the direction of the club the last two seasons...well, that's a pretty low bar for commitment to winning.

10. Jeff K. Posted: February 16, 2009 at 02:10 AM (#3077867)

Mmm, I don't know how reasonable it is, actually. Let's lay aside the point that I'm firmly for and which invalidates most of what I'm about to say, that being that every person has the right to choose what they want to do for a living, where and for whom they want to do it. Especially professional athletes who are denied this right for a good portion of an already short career. I have no qualms with that. That said, isn't this a teeny bit selfish, at least? Dude's won a World Series. As mentioned, he's gotten to play in the playoffs 5 out of 8 years in what's been a damn competitive, if not always great, division. Now if the Cardinals miss the playoffs this year badly, in order to keep him, they can't even think about retooling during 2010? I don't have a problem if that's his decision, but I don't know that I can go so far as to call it reasonable.

11. cardsfanboy

Posted: February 16, 2009 at 03:36 AM (#3077909)

That said, isn't this a teeny bit selfish, at least? Dude's won a World Series. As mentioned, he's gotten to play in the playoffs 5 out of 8 years in what's been a damn competitive, if not always great, division. Now if the Cardinals miss the playoffs this year badly, in order to keep him, they can't even think about retooling during 2010? I don't have a problem if that's his decision, but I don't know that I can go so far as to call it reasonable

not really, outside of completly screwed up organizations, I don't see a reason to ever retool over than a year or so. If the Cardinals keep their payroll around 70-80 million, keep the players that they should keep and make smart additions they should be competitive for a while.

12. Exploring Leftist Conservatism since 2008 (ark..) Posted: February 16, 2009 at 03:48 AM (#3077920)

I have to think that which ever team signs Albert following the 2011 season is going to get at least a little screwed, as with The Rod's contract. Albert'll be entering his decline phase and is unlikely to be worth what he gets. That said, his decline phase is probably going to include seasons most ballplayers only dream about.

13. Hugh Jorgan Posted: February 16, 2009 at 03:52 AM (#3077924)

Albert'll be entering his decline phase

So he'll be comparable to Tex in his decline phase and we know how much that is worth.

14. Walt Davis Posted: February 16, 2009 at 04:47 AM (#3077947)

Derrek Lee's contract is up after 2010. :-)

Barring injury (obviously a risk with anyone) Pujols' "decline phase" is going to resemble Aaron's "decline phase." I really ain't worried about it.

15. Juan V is the mustard of your doom! Posted: February 16, 2009 at 04:54 AM (#3077949)

I have to think that which ever team signs Albert following the 2011 season is going to get at least a little screwed, as with The Rod's contract.

I was about to ask if you know something that we don't...

16. So Taguchi is My Sensei Posted: February 16, 2009 at 05:02 AM (#3077950)

The Cardinals 1B in 2012: Brett Wallace.

/ducks

17. Guts

Posted: February 16, 2009 at 06:14 AM (#3077962)

The Cardinals 1B in 2012: Brett Wallace.

May the wrath of the Gods descend upon you, sir.

18. Exploring Leftist Conservatism since 2008 (ark..) Posted: February 16, 2009 at 06:54 AM (#3077966)

So he'll be comparable to Tex in his decline phase and we know how much that is worth.

Well, we know what it's worth to the Yankees. In real dollars, that's something else entirely.

I mentioned The Rod as a salary comp because I can see something similar happening with Albert. Hard to imagine Pujols won't be in line for a 10 year, 250 million dollar deal, but the HOF is littered with guys who couldn't hit a lick in their late 30s, never mind their early 40s. It's not that I don't think Albert's going to have a good, even great career in his 30s, it's just that it's not likely to be worth what he'll be (over)paid. Btw. he's not a favorite to average 150 games a season over the rest of the three years he's under St. Louis's control, though that might temper his value a little in the 2011-12 offseason. As for the Aaron comp, Henry was more durable through this point in their respective careers, and had a little more room to manuver on the defensive spectrum. Hard to believe that Albert's a bit better hitter. Henry could rake a little.

19. Portia Stanke Posted: February 16, 2009 at 04:47 PM (#3078129)

This is an AP article on USA Today's web site.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3909778

ESPN and the AP made the same error.

he's not a favorite to average 150 games a season over the rest of the three years he's under St. Louis's control

That's an unusual perspective. Pujols has played 150+ games six out of eight seasons, and for the other two had 148 and 143 games played. I suppose his reputation for being an injury risk came from the articles about his elbow last spring training, but he's always been healthy and plays an undemanding position not known for injuring its occupants.

20. qfl1 Posted: February 16, 2009 at 04:56 PM (#3078145)

ESPN and the AP made the same error.

I don't think ESPN edits AP stories?

21. RJ in TO Posted: February 16, 2009 at 05:05 PM (#3078156)

As for the Aaron comp, Henry was more durable through this point in their respective careers, and had a little more room to manuver on the defensive spectrum.

I can't argue with you about the durability, since Aaron was extremely durable, but I'm a bit confused about the comment on the limited room to manoeuvre on the defensive spectrum - isn't Pujols considered to be an absolutely brilliant defensive 1B? Also, isn't the only reason he's playing there due to concerns about his elbow? I seem to remember him having more than the minimum amount of skill required to play both 3B and OF. If he ever does get his elbow repaired, then there's really nothing stopping him from moving back to one of those positions.

22. Portia Stanke Posted: February 16, 2009 at 05:22 PM (#3078181)

I don't think ESPN edits AP stories?

It's not the same article.

23. greenback

Posted: February 16, 2009 at 05:26 PM (#3078184)

Also, isn't the only reason he's playing there due to concerns about his elbow?

That's the main reason he was moved there full-time in 2004. Now Pujols is one of the best players in baseball, if not the best, so asking him to move for Brett Wallace, or whomever, is something of a political problem.

24. The Essex Snead Posted: February 16, 2009 at 05:50 PM (#3078209)

It's not the same article.

That bit of text underneath the headline? The part that says "Associated Press"? That kinda means it's not ESPN's.

25. Exploring Leftist Conservatism since 2008 (ark..) Posted: February 16, 2009 at 06:15 PM (#3078239)

That's an unusual perspective. Pujols has played 150+ games six out of eight seasons, and for the other two had 148 and 143 games played.

Thank you for putting it so kindly, PS. I'm chuckling over the phrase "unusual perspective". I base my estimate in part and precisely on those 148 and 143 games you mention, since they occurred within the last three seasons. Albert will be in his age 29-31 seasons in 2009-2011, and I expect him to have the usual, albeit slight, dropoff in durability. To rephrase your statement, Albert has failed to play 150 games in two of the last three seasons, he's entering his decline phase, and he's unlikely to become more durable. How does that sound to you?

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Pujols: Strategy will determine future with Cards

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