Pujols

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Well, Albert Pujols just signed with the Angels for 10 years, $250 million. Is it just me scratching my head at this? Didn't we learn from the A-Rod deal that giving 10 year contracts worth a quarter of a billion to players over 30 (Pujols turns 32 next month) is unwise? How many great years does Pujols have left? 3? Maybe 4? And maybe two more years after that where he's still good but no longer great? And then another 3 or 4 years when he's in steep decline?

I'd almost get it if it were the Yankees, because they double the price of what any other team would sign any other player, but the Angels? I think they did the Cardinals a favor. There's no way he can live up to that deal, unless he continues to play at his current level until he's over 40. I could even believe St. Louis would pay that much, because he's an icon there (much like Jeter's last contract was worth may more than it should have been because he's an icon for the Yankees).

It's strange that in a sport like baseball the top stars get paid so much more than the top stars in football, even though a single player (like a great QB) can change a teams performance so much more than a great hitter. (I know this is largely explained by the salary cap, or lack thereof.) I'm just saying that you can see someone like Tom Brady making big bucks, because he is on the field for every offensive possession, and can throw to ball 50 times a game if you'd like. Pujols can only bat once every 9 batters no matter what you do.

My first impression is that the Angels have made themselves marginally better with this signing in the short term, but won't like this contract very much in 3 or 4 years. OTOH, I don't think this hurts the Cardinals very much. They almost certainly have got all of Pujols' best years, and while I don't know who they will sign to play 1st base, they can probably pick up someone decent for a pittance compared to what they'd have to pay Pujols, which would suggest that they'd have more money to improve the team in other areas.

 

Mrs Bruno is beside herself on this (she's a big Cards fan) but the Cards could not match the offer. It is possible the Angels believe Pujols will increase their box office sales (and TV contracts, etc.) -- he is huge draw for the hispanic community. As far as "marginally better", Pujols adds ~150 runs per season -- with good batters in front of him he can even bring in more runs. He's also a gold glove defensive first baseman. I'd say, for at least the next 4 or 5 years, the Angels got a big improvement over anyone else they could put at first.

Berkman or Craig will play first. They don't need to get anyone but can now afford to upgrade the rest of the infield (they're very weak at SS and 2B).

 

I would even go a step further T2 - even if they COULD match that offer, it doesn't mean that they should match the offer. I think they made a good business decision. I don't blame Pujols at all - if someone's offering you $250 million guaranteed, how can you walk away from that?