hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1738364


Contract Reportedly for Seven Years

The St. Louis Cardinals are close to signing Albert Pujols to a seven-year contract for about $100 million, according to a baseball official with knowledge of the negotiations, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports.

Pujols is scheduled for a Friday arbitration hearing -- he was asking for a $10.5 million salary and the team offered $7 million -- but the deal is expected to be announced before then.

Brian Walton of thestlcardinals.com first reported that the two sides had a tentative deal Wednesday morning. A baseball official confirmed the report for ESPN.com.

Pujols, who won his first NL batting title and finished second in MVP balloting behind Barry Bonds in 2003, said in January he wanted a long-term contract.

The left fielder batted .359 with 43 home runs and 124 RBIs in 2003.

Pujols has played only three full seasons, making him the fastest player to receive a $100 million contract. Colorado's Todd Helton signed a $141 million extension in March 2001 after three-plus seasons in the big leagues.

"He called me to give me the good news early in the morning," his aunt, Miriam Pujols, told The Associated Press in the Dominican Republic.

In three seasons, Pujols is hitting .334 with 114 homers and 381 RBIs.

Pujols played a lot in left field last season and also spent time at first base. He is likely to move to first base full-time this season after Tino Martinez was traded to Tampa Bay.

The Cardinals open spring training Friday at their camp in Jupiter, Fla.

"You try to get what you deserve and that's what I want. I've taken care of my business in the field the last three years and hopefully I get treated respectfully, that's all I ask for," Pujols said in January at the team's annual fan fest.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Discuss.

Not bad for a 23 year *ahem*

Not bad for a 23 year *ahem*

That's a pretty long *ahem*.

;)

Dola-

Assuming that his stated age is somewhat close to his real age (say, up to 25) I'm not sure that it'll make a huge difference from an investment perspective. He'll either be under contract until he's 30 or 32, both are within the expected range of "peak years." Now, if he's really 28 then the length of the contract will be a problem.

I'm a bit more concerned at the amount of money the Cards are tying up - although I don't see how much choice they had, given the parameters they laid out with the Rolen deal (which was a stupid deal, IMHO). As has been discussed elsewhere, letting Pujols walk or trading him would have greatly upset Cardinal Nation. If this deal goes through we Cardinals fans will simply have to live with not spending much money on new (quality) pitching.

And hope the Cardinals score 2000 runs next year.

Double dola-

His listed age is currently 24, FWIW.

It's all about the new stadium. No Pujols, fewer seat licenses bought = less guaranteed revenue.

I figured they would sign him long term, then market the hell out of him. Heck, EA is already doing that. :) I guess we'll see when the deal is done, if it is true that is.

I expect the Cardinals to drop some salary close to the trading deadline this year. Keeping Pujols, Rolen, Renteria, and Izzy. Maybe getting rid of Edmonds, Morris, Woody, and some other high salary guys. By the time 2006 gets here, they will have some youth for pitching and some cash to sign Renteria long term as well get a good FA pitcher or two. Just my $0.02.


Todd

This just in:

Pujols had plastic surgery and is really Mark McGuire!

Can't be. McGwire could never hit .360 in a season!

This just in: George Steinbrenner has just called William DeWitt to let him know that if he ever needs payroll flexibility, Francisco Villegas could be had in the right deal.

I like Lance Berkman... :)

Berkman sucks!


:)


Todd

The deal is reported to be complete. The same article I provided the address for above has been updated.

I, for one, like this move. I think that's a reasonable amount to pay for a player of Pujols' caliber, and it demonstrates a willingness by the team to take the necessary steps to win. As primelord has so often stated, this has a substantial ripple effect on the overall payroll, and it remains to be seen what the team will do with guys like Renteria and Morris.

But I like it.

Morris is as good as gone with this deal, IMO

either he has to go or Edmonds...I love both guys, but I'd rather have MattMo than Edmonds.

kinda like asking which nut you want to lose

I, for one, like this move. I think that's a reasonable amount to pay for a player of Pujols' caliber, and it demonstrates a willingness by the team to take the necessary steps to win. As primelord has so often stated, this has a substantial ripple effect on the overall payroll, and it remains to be seen what the team will do with guys like Renteria and Morris.

But I like it.

Despite my objections I also ike this deal, but I thought that this deal should be the ceiling. There were early reports that he was going to turn down this deal as well and I just didn't see anyway the Cards could put up more money than that. Either way it is nice to know it is done.

As much as I like Edmonds, he is injury prone and a very streaky hitter. I'd part with him if need-be, perhaps trying to get a prospect CF and an arm in return.

MattyMo is perhaps my favorite Cardinal. I think he will be willing to sign for a bit less with the Redbirds out of loyalty. IMO, he is the next huge priority for signing.

MattyMo is perhaps my favorite Cardinal. I think he will be willing to sign for a bit less with the Redbirds out of loyalty. IMO, he is the next huge priority for signing.


When does that ever happen?

Morris is as good as gone with this deal, IMO

either he has to go or Edmonds...I love both guys, but I'd rather have MattMo than Edmonds.

kinda like asking which nut you want to lose

That is an easy one. Show Edmonds the door. I like Jimmy too, but he loses more range in center every year. He is a VERY streaky hitter, which is great when he is on but awful when he is off. And making al those diving and running into the wall catches is taking a toll on his body. He seems to get hurt on pretty innocent looking plays regularly these days.

Edit: Yea what Coug said. :)

When does that ever happen?
It happens occasionally, demi-troll.

Assuming he's recovered from his injuries, Morris is far more valuable than Edmonds.

It happens occasionally, demi-troll.

Nice, nevermind discussing those instances. Go come up with a game...

Griffey, Jr., set the whole "home-town discount" cause back about 100 years.

Yeah, nice that all you ever seem to post are snide shots at what people have posted prior to your enlightened crap.

Players sign with St. Louis for less, it's a known trend. Free agents are drawn to the city for its baseball tradition and great fans.

Other teams? Off the top of my head, try Barry Larkin.

Yeah, nice that all you ever seem to post are snide shots at what people have posted prior to your enlightened crap.

Players sign with St. Louis for less, it's a known trend. Free agents are drawn to the city for its baseball tradition and great fans.

Other teams? Off the top of my head, try Barry Larkin.

A simple question is hardly snide. I couldn't think of any but was sure that your knowledge on the subject would prove valuable.

Sorry didn't realize you were that defensive...carry on.

Morris has already turned down one "discounted" contract, one that was far below what his market value would be, and below this last contract he signed.

I think Cards mgmt pissed him off with that offer, and he basically said he's in it for him now, can't say that I blame him.

Here's a guy who has deferred tons of dough in the past to allow other signings, and now that it's his turn to finally get paid, they ask him to take even less! Told them if they signed Maddux, he'd sign the deal...but he wasn't taking a cut to help their bottom line.

They screwed the pooch on this one...

dola

rkm, McGwire took a discounted contract
Edmonds, Rolen, Woody Williams have all resigned after trades in their free agent years, at what are widely believed to be lesser than free agent market amounts

dola

rkm, McGwire took a discounted contract
Edmonds, Rolen, Woody Williams have all resigned after trades in their free agent years, at what are widely believed to be lesser than free agent market amounts

Forgot about McGwire...and maybe it's a Cardinal thing.

The Red Sox need Nomar to do that but for all his "I love Boston" stuff he's already turned down 15 per. No matter what he says I doubt he's taking anything less than that...

I wouldn't call Rolen's deal "discounted."

given what else is available at 3B, I would...he's a once in a decade type of 3B, IMO

rkm, I wouldn't hold your breath about Nomar...after the A-Rod fiasco, I think Boston's going to come out empty on both counts now

Rolen is a great 3B. But $90M over 8 years is not a discount, IMO. Just because Philadelphia offered to pay him more than that does not automatically make a lesser, mor reasonable offer by another team a "discount." He 's a solid, not spectacular hitter - meaning, he hasn't come close to putting up 40 HRs in a season, and has only driven in 100 runs twice, I think. He the total package of a solid 3B, but I wouldn't overpay for him just because he's a 3B.

Dola.

And btw, A-Rod is a 3B! :D ;)

Dola.

And btw, A-Rod is a 3B! :D ;)

Not for long ;)

Rolen brings defensive capabilities that can't be matched by many (if any) 3B in the league right now, IMO

Rolen brings defensive capabilities that can't be matched by many (if any) 3B in the league right now, IMO He was beaten out by 8 other guys for fielding win shares last season. I couldn't find range factor or zone ratings for last year or I would cite those as well. He's above average but not nearly best in the league.

EDIT: Just dug those others up (they're on ESPN. d'oh)
10th in range factor
18th in zone rating

Those really aren't that great. That tells me that those flashy plays Rolen makes are routine to quite a few other guys.

SI

He was beaten out by 8 other guys for fielding win shares last season. I couldn't find range factor or zone ratings for last year or I would cite those as well. He's above average but not nearly best in the league.
Statistically, perhaps. But having watched the guy play throughout last season, I can truly say he is the best-fielding third baseman I have ever seen.

Rolen is a great 3B. But $90M over 8 years is not a discount, IMO. Just because Philadelphia offered to pay him more than that does not automatically make a lesser, mor reasonable offer by another team a "discount." He 's a solid, not spectacular hitter - meaning, he hasn't come close to putting up 40 HRs in a season, and has only driven in 100 runs twice, I think. He the total package of a solid 3B, but I wouldn't overpay for him just because he's a 3B.
*marks day down on calendar* I agree with Ksyrup. Ew.. I feel so dirty ;)

He's good but not great. He's not the second coming of Mike Schmidt but he's certainly in the top 3 in the league and has been for a couple of years so it's likely to keep up. But that fat contract isn't a discount. It's what I would consider market price for a mid-upper market team (not including Bos/NYY).

SI

I feel Rolen is the best true 3B in MLB (ARod's a SS playing 3B :D). A complete package of outstanding defense, hitting (combination of power, RBI, average), baserunning, smarts, leadership. His contract is high for 3B, but given that he's the best one out there, it's by no means outrageous. The Cardinals got what they wanted, and did not overpay for him.

The flip side is that they must scale back on their corner outfielders' salaries, as well as at catcher (where Matheny gives them what they want w/o breaking the bank). But an infield anchored on Pujols, Renteria and Rolen is a fantastic foundation for the team. Now we just need to develop some youngsters to play OF and pitch.

I feel Rolen is the best true 3B in MLB (ARod's a SS playing 3B :D). A complete package of outstanding defense, hitting (combination of power, RBI, average), baserunning, smarts, leadership. His contract is high for 3B, but given that he's the best one out there, it's by no means outrageous. The Cardinals got what they wanted, and did not overpay for him. Eww... now I'm agreeing with a Cardinals fan. I just feel do dirty today. Make it stop. ;)

Yeah, Rolen is the best true 3B in MLB. However, I think it's more by default. There aren't any great 3Bs out there right now. He's good at hitting: you can put him down for .290-25-100 year in-year out. He doubles a lot, he strikes out more than you'd like, but walks more than that, too. No more/no less- he's been remarkably consistent at hitting. The stats show that he's an above average 3B but not spectacular and I really can't speak to his smarts or leadership, but he hasn't had any nationally broadcast media problems in those areas.

As I said, the Cards didn't overpay for him, but he wasn't a bargain either. They got what they paid for: not a superstar (he doesn't have those gaudy .320-40-120 type stats) but the best 3B in the league.

SI

His contract is high for 3B, but given that he's the best one out there, it's by no means outrageous. The Cardinals got what they wanted, and did not overpay for him.
Exactly. I didn't say they overpaid. The original comment was that he was one of a handful of guys who gave the Cardinals a "discount." I don't think that's true.

Sterling Ice:

There are worse things in life. Not many, but a few.

The original comment was that he was one of a handful of guys who gave the Cardinals a "discount." I don't think that's true.
Well, I guess "discount" is a rather nebulous term in this instance. It was not a loyalty discount in the sense that Morris' previous contract was, but you can't deny that Rolen signed for less with the Cards then he could have had elsewhere.

See, we Cardinals fans aren't that icky...;)

I, for one, like this move. I think that's a reasonable amount to pay for a player of Pujols' caliber, and it demonstrates a willingness by the team to take the necessary steps to win. As primelord has so often stated, this has a substantial ripple effect on the overall payroll, and it remains to be seen what the team will do with guys like Renteria and Morris.
I agree. This deal is great, imo. Renteria is next on the list, so you have Pujols, Renteria, and Rolen signed long term. Morris is gone unless he does something this year to prove he's a #1 or #2. In fact, I think Morris needs to get away, too many memories of Kyle here in St. Louis for him.

Todd

Isn't your pitching already thin? With Morris gone who would you send out to the mound? As a Cub fan I've always had a respect for Morris as he seems like a warrior out there on the mound. Well I had respect until he made those dumbass comments about the Cubs last season.

Nevermind, he sucks.

Isn't your pitching already thin? With Morris gone who would you send out to the mound? As a Cub fan I've always had a respect for Morris as he seems like a warrior out there on the mound. Well I had respect until he made those dumbass comments about the Cubs last season.

Nevermind, he sucks.
Yes, it's thin, but I think he's ready to leave St. Louis. I think Kyle's death is still on his mind (which it should be) and in St. Louis there is nowhere to go to get away from the memories.

I could be wrong, it's just my opinion, but I think he wants to test FA and the Cardinals could get some good young pitching prospects this year for players like Morris, Edmonds, Williams, etc...


Todd

I forget, did Buehrle ever end up signing the extention with the White Sox? I live in Chicago and even I can't remember now. There was a lot of talk about him wanting to play for the Cardinals though, although I'm not sure you guys would have the money it'd take to sign him.