Hello Fellow Fans,
The weekend is here and the Winter Meetings are gone. What a week it was. Looks like the Marlins did wise up and withdrew themselves from the Albert Pujols sweepstakes and spent money on one of those coveted lefties, Mark Buerhle, instead. Less money for a player who may have more impact in 6 less years than Pujols may have had in the 10 years that were offered to him. Great move. Miami is much more well rounded with an arm of that caliber than the stick. And it looks like St. Louis knew they weren’t going to be able to keep Pujols. They denied that they raised the Spring ’11 contract value offer. Knowing how much and more importantly how long the deal would have to be (he wanted 10 years), the Cards may have made the best no-move move in recent free agent history. I got it wrong as I figured the Cards were in for 10 years and $250 million. Please try again! It was the Angels who swooped in out of nowhere with about those very numbers. I had the money right. Technicially, that makes 1 out of 2.
Pujols did go from being a Musial, Ernie Banks, or Ripken Jr. to being an A-rod. It was about the money. In a way, why not? Truth be told, most people would too. I still hate to see it though. It’s not what I root for. Hidden within the money aspect is the run, or at least a chance at, the career home run record. 800 or more is NOT out of the question considering he’ll be an A.L. DH at times now and regularly late in that contract. If he remains a great ambassador to the game, despite the loss of tales by him not staying an icon in St. Louis, I WILL root for Pujols to grab that record. A-rod won’t last long enough (And I’m NOT rooting for him to break it. Are Yanks fans even?). Plus, it’s time to replace the guy who surpassed Hammerin’ Hank.
Thanks to the Angels, Prince Fielder did NOT sign before Albert. That will literally pay off for him. I thought Prince would go first due to the complexity of Pujols wanting 10 years. WRONG! Then, the Angels snagged Texas’ C.J. Wilson. WOW, what a rotation that makes with Wilson, Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, and Dan Haren! I never thought Nolan Ryan would let Wilson go. WRONG again. Oh well, good fun anyway.
Question: What if St. Louis hopped in the Fielder sweepstakes? They could weaken their division foe, Milwaukee, and save at least $50 million while signing the first sacker who is four years younger than Pujols. You couldn’t make a better move to strengthen your club’s long term chances of postseason berths. It probably won’t happen, but the possibility adds to the fun of the off-season. The Meetings are over, but the moves are in mid-season form!!
Before we go, here’s one more thought on Pujols. Remember during the 2011 playoffs when he questioned why the game times of the Cards’ games were slated in the late afternoon shadows while the Yanks benefitted by playing every game at night? (It is MUCH easier to hit under the lights.) I was just wondering if the sometimes obscurity of West Coast baseball teams (especially ones out of the pennant race) will provoke more comments from The Machine in the future. He may take some heat if he does, but either way his prescence in the West WILL have a huge positive impact for MLB and perhaps the game in general. In the end, that is all that matters.
Later Fans.