APRTW wrote:

this also sets in stone that pujols is going to have the worst year in his career.

Bummer too, because he was really starting to hit like Albert.

artie_fufkin wrote:

On the other hand, this might make him more affordable.
I'm just sayin' ...

It certainly doesn't make him more expensive. God imagine this team without the injuries, including a healthy Wainright... I can't help but wonder if we didn't have a World Series contender here....

"There were at least a couple of folks who seemed to think that Prince Fielder could end up with a higher total dollar deal (although a lower AAV) than Pujols"

I first heard stuff like this on FSN Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago when the Cardinals played the Brewers. Ordinarily, you'd ascribe this to homerism, but Bill Schroeder is a little more impartial than say, Jeff Brantley or Jeff Huson. A lot of this talk is because of the month Fielder is having. He's batting .352/9/19 in 18 games with a 1.421 OPS in June, after .243/5/16 /.804 in May.

Brennaman and his sidekick can barely contain their glee. Wonder if Gomes was singing in the dugout today.
The worst part is I'm rooting for the Yankees.

artie_fufkin wrote:

Cueto isn't pitching against the Yankees because of a stiff neck. I wonder if her boyfriend stood up before she was finished.

Rec.

How coincidental that Cueto is hurt against the Yankees.

Interesting evening in Milwaukee. Balkin' Bob Davidson is running afoul of the Brewers. I just got in and didn't see it, but apparently he ruled Nyger Morgan leaned into a pitch that plunked him, and called him back. Then he threw out Roenicke and Dale Sveum for arguing, and the Rays have gotten every close pitch since.
And there's a leatherlung sitting somewhere within proximity of a field mic who is just airing out Johnny Damon. The guy's schtick is pretty good.

The 7th and 8th inning of the Brewers/Rays game lasted about three days.

tkihshbt wrote:

I'm not completely confident that he's going to be the same player.

I don't think anybody is, but at the time of his departure from this injury, Pujols was being Pujols when he got hurt (June stats, .317 avg, 8 HR's, 15 RBIs, 19 Runs (in 17 games).

He's back, well he was. He just needed some time to dig out of the numbers hell he put himself in.
April 30 - .245
May 31 - .267
Jun 19 - .279

He was putting it together quite nicely, without the injury I think he finishes with a .300-.315 avg, 30 HRs, and whatnot. He was on pace to hit about 14 HR's in June, and have the average at about .289 by month end...

I'm not a big Jeff Passan fan, but his article yesterday made a lot of sense.  Both sides should use this trip to the DL to get the extension worked out.  As bad as Pujols (maybe moreso his agent) wanted to receive a record contract, that's not going to happen.  They could come to an agreement now that gives Pujols a high AAV for fewer years.  The Cardinals lock up Pujols which makes the fan base happy, Pujols doesn't have to face what could be a harsh reality in free agency and he secures his legacy as a single franchise player.

Of course, since it makes that much sense, it probably won't happen.

Here's the article, and a proposed framework for a new deal.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=As.WftZ66OmLWcWcfb9cN48RvLYF?slug=jp-passan_pujols_injury_contract_cardinals_062011

"One agent not involved in the negotiations helped lay out the framework for a potential deal that would behoove both sides: eight years, $224 million – or $28 million a year, a record for a long-term contract. For the next three seasons, as Pujols remains in his prime and the Cardinals continue to churn out good, young, cheap players, he would receive $32 million a year. For the two seasons after that, his salary would dip to $29 million. The final three would represent the drop-off as he ages and, in concert with projected inflation, not look nearly as bad toward the end: $27 million, $24 million, $19 million."

artie_fufkin wrote:

"How coincidental that Cueto is hurt against the Yankees."

Are you suggesting her neck will be feeling a whole lot better by the time the Reds play Baltimore this weekend?

His neck must have healed. 7 innings of 2 hit ball against the Yankees.

forsberg_us wrote:

alz wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

On the other hand, this might make him more affordable.
I'm just sayin' ...

It certainly doesn't make him more expensive. God imagine this team without the injuries, including a healthy Wainright... I can't help but wonder if we didn't have a World Series contender here....

I'm hesitant to bring this up because the discussion became so bitter last time

Just like you to bring this up again.  And don't pretend you weren't trying to start a flame war.  This is just another example of the white man trying to keep the colored man down.  And for what's worth, pitcher "wins" really are the stupidest stat in baseball!  (Did I leave any out?)

alz wrote:

tkihshbt wrote:

I'm not completely confident that he's going to be the same player.

I don't think anybody is, but at the time of his departure from this injury, Pujols was being Pujols when he got hurt (June stats, .317 avg, 8 HR's, 15 RBIs, 19 Runs (in 17 games).

He's back, well he was. He just needed some time to dig out of the numbers hell he put himself in.
April 30 - .245
May 31 - .267
Jun 19 - .279

He was putting it together quite nicely, without the injury I think he finishes with a .300-.315 avg, 30 HRs, and whatnot. He was on pace to hit about 14 HR's in June, and have the average at about .289 by month end...

and when Bernie did his piece on this about a month or two back he pointed out that one of Pujols's MVP seasons was his other worst start. 

If Berkman can fool many of us, and come back and be effective at the plate at his age, then i think we are jumping the gun a bit if we start writing the epitaph for Pujols as the games best pure hitter.  Like AP, I think this could go either way.  Pujols could come back rested and still make a run at .300/30/100 with the two months or so that he will have.  He might not get there, but he could make it interesting. 

As for the contract stuff, I think it will come down to whether Pujols's pride and belief in himself trumps his business sense.  I do NOT think DeWitt comes out of this smelling good.  He comes out this smelling like an oily exploitative businessman, at least to this Pujols fan.  If they really are willing to offer a longterm contract with an initial value of $32 million, and an AAV much lower, then I wouldn't be surprised if a chagrined Pujols says, "give me a one year contract for $32 million and we'll talk again after the 2012 season.  Otherwise, I'll turn around and offer the same deal to the Cubs."