Ah, OK.  Then in the context of this discussion I do not know shit from apple butter.

tkihshbt wrote:

Rosenthal says the Cubs are about to jump in on Fielder and Pukols. Says the Cubs realize there is limited talent in upcoming free agencies and limitations on draft spending will cuff them.

And they've got Alfonso Soriano for three more years.

If the Cubs are planning on making an offer then I would assume it will be larger then the Cardinals offer.  I am not sure what the Marlins goals were but it seems like a waste of time to make an offer to Pujols for less then you know to be sitting on the table.  He wants to and will return to St. Louis if the Cardinals have the highest offer.  The only chance other teams have is to outbid the Cardinals.

I have taken a solemn vow not to get into anymore fights on the Pujols thread. It was my early New Years resolution.

I was more just highlighting that I have been a baseball fan since 1985, watched Jose Canseco become baseball's first 5 million dollar man, and numerous MASSIVE contracts since. It now amazes me that I never put together the difference between an extension and a new contract until today.

forsberg_us wrote:

Chicago Sun Times Sports Editor Chris De Luca tweets that Cubs/Pujols story is simply creation of Pujols' agent and that the Cubs are not actually interested.

http://twitter.com/#!/ChrisDeLuca

I believe that.  I think the Cubs have some interest in driving up the price on the Cardinals.  Given the situation they know the Cardinals offer and that Pujols isnt going to bail on the Cardinals over just a few million they can afford to drive it up some.

Pujols is really fucked right about now.  the market for his skills is not shaping up at all, he had an off year, and he spent his career convincing every GM in baseball that there is a "100%" chance that he resigns with the Cards.  Given that, I repeat that i think there's a small but real possiblity that he accepts arbitration, gets paid somewhere between $25-30 M next year, and then tries again.

Max wrote:

My mistake--one of them-- was not knowing that A-Rod had an opt out clause that he exercized.  What a brazen dickhead to pull that?!?  Amazing that he opted out of the largest contract of all time and the Yank-mees rewarded him with an even bigger contract.

Boras has negotiated opt outs into a number of his clients' contracts. Sabbathia opted out this year and the Yankees gave him an extra year. I seem to remeber AJ Burnett and JD Drew also exercising opt outs. Drew and Burnett are definitely Boras clients. Not sure about CC.

forsberg_us wrote:

Max wrote:

Pujols is really fucked right about now.  the market for his skills is not shaping up at all, he had an off year, and he spent his career convincing every GM in baseball that there is a "100%" chance that he resigns with the Cards.  Given that, I repeat that i think there's a small but real possiblity that he accepts arbitration, gets paid somewhere between $25-30 M next year, and then tries again.

The Cardinals would love for Pujols to accept arbitration. They only have to commit to him for one year, Pujols gets a year older, and the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies still wouldn't be in the bidding.

If Pujols really wanted to get $25-30M per year, he could announce he was considering 3-4 year offers. That would jump start his market.

Agreed.  That would be a better move.  Grant an interview to ESPN and claim he's really not sure he wants to play baseball after 35, and is really only looking for a guaranteed 4 years . . . and it doesn't have to be in St. Louis.  Then once he has people talking, try to cut a $150/5 deal.  That would give him the highest AAV in history, break a new plateau ($30 M/year), and frankly, the Cards might even match it.

Last edited by Max (11/29/2011 9:20 pm)

forsberg_us wrote:

Max wrote:

My mistake--one of them-- was not knowing that A-Rod had an opt out clause that he exercized.  What a brazen dickhead to pull that?!?  Amazing that he opted out of the largest contract of all time and the Yank-mees rewarded him with an even bigger contract.

Boras has negotiated opt outs into a number of his clients' contracts. Sabbathia opted out this year and the Yankees gave him an extra year. I seem to remeber AJ Burnett and JD Drew also exercising opt outs. Drew and Burnett are definitely Boras clients. Not sure about CC.

What if the Cardinals gave Pujols an opted out.  That would make his contract more appealing.  The player really cant lose by having one.  Offers them all the control.  CC basicly did it just for a raise.

forsberg_us wrote:

Max wrote:

My mistake--one of them-- was not knowing that A-Rod had an opt out clause that he exercized.  What a brazen dickhead to pull that?!?  Amazing that he opted out of the largest contract of all time and the Yank-mees rewarded him with an even bigger contract.

Boras has negotiated opt outs into a number of his clients' contracts. Sabbathia opted out this year and the Yankees gave him an extra year. I seem to remeber AJ Burnett and JD Drew also exercising opt outs. Drew and Burnett are definitely Boras clients. Not sure about CC.

Yes, I remember Drew fucking over the Dodgers.

BTW: I read that he will probably retire rather than play next year.  Hard to believe the illustrious career of the great JD Drew might be over already.  This specifics were vague, but apparently he has had serious issues with Red Sox management over the availability of Monistat creme in the locker room.

Max wrote:

APRTW wrote:

Max wrote:

Pujols is really fucked right about now.  the market for his skills is not shaping up at all, he had an off year, and he spent his career convincing every GM in baseball that there is a "100%" chance that he resigns with the Cards.  Given that, I repeat that i think there's a small but real possiblity that he accepts arbitration, gets paid somewhere between $25-30 M next year, and then tries again.

If by really fucked you mean getting paid 20 plus million for the next nine years then yeah he is really fucked.

Red herring!

You or I would take $100,000 year for the next nine years and celebrate with crates of champagne.

I think this is where you meant to post that:

http://2006cardinals.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=1031

Not at all.  Pujols is going to get his market value.  Just because he thinks he should be the highest paid players doesnt mean he is getting fucked if he is not.  If he doesnt like it then maybe the opt out and try the market again.  In three years the Cubs should be somewhat rebuilt.  Ryan Howard will be a shitty player.  The Dodgers and Mets will have recovered from their money issues.  Who knows what the Red Soxs and Yankees will want?  I never really thought of it till yesterday but the opt out clause might be something Pujols is very interested it if he is unhappy the bids.

APRTW wrote:

Max wrote:

APRTW wrote:

If by really fucked you mean getting paid 20 plus million for the next nine years then yeah he is really fucked.

Red herring!

You or I would take $100,000 year for the next nine years and celebrate with crates of champagne.

I think this is where you meant to post that:

http://2006cardinals.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=1031

Not at all.  Pujols is going to get his market value.

Depends what you mean by that.  I think if he accepted arbitration he'd discover a fair assessment of his market value, and I have a hunch it's higher than $22 M.