Pujols, I don't get it...

[Starscream]

I still don't get it and say he's a d0uchebag. He's said how great STL is for so long and here are some quotes to prove it. Also some quotes where he talks about how humble he is:


"This is a great city to play. Anywhere you go, you're going to have great fans, but not like you have here in St. Louis. I've only played in St. Louis, I haven't played anywhere else, but even when the other teams come here they tell us, 'Man I can't believe how nice the fans are here.'"



“We’ve got the best fans in St. Louis. A lot of people want to come and play in St. Louis because of the way the fans treat us.”



“What motivates me more than money are God and my family.”



“As long as you don’t get caught up thinking you are better than the game, or you think that you’re better than everybody else, as long as you don’t get caught up in that, you’ll be fine, if you stay humble, you’re going to survive to play this game — if you stay healthy — for 15-20 years. That’s what I want to do. Stay humble before God. Stay humble before my teammates. And just have fun out there and play the game.”
5/29/2006





How is he being humble here when accepting an offer from a totally strange team for only about $4 million a year? How is he being loyal to the people he's led on for years? He's established a dynasty for himself in STL and now he throws it all away for a few dollars more. I could understand if he only played for them for a few years, but he gave 11 years of blood, sweat, and tears for the STL fans.

For the Reds fans here, at least Votto's been vague and dances around the question each time he's asked about the future. We know he's gonna go to the highest bidder (as long as it's not NY). But Pujols? He could have had so much more and it would have only cost him about $4 million a year. When you'r making $20 million a year anyways, $4 million isn't that big of a discount. It's not going to put him in a higher tax bracket for sure. He could have been the next Stan Musial, Derek Jeter, Lou Gherig, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Johnny Bench, etc... But no, he had to go for a few dollars more.

I could even see it being reasonable if he went to Miami for more money b/c like Griffey, it would be a slight bit closer to home, but why California? Nothing against California and the Angels, I just don't get Pujols' actions here. Total d0chebag move in my opinion.

People crucified Lebron last year, but there's little to no outrage over this, not even from STL fans. Yes, I know that Pujols didn't schedule a tv interview to announce his decision making process, but Lebron didn't establish a dynasty in Cleveland like Pujols has in STL. At least Lebron left for more money AND a chance to win a championship. Albert already has a couple of championships and the ability to get a few more where he was at, even without TLR.

[ninjavanish]

Ummmmm, $260 Million.

Enough said. Get real bro. I like Pujols. I like the Cardinals. But when someone throws what basically amounts to a $260 Million retirement plan at you... you gotta think about the future... not just here and now. The Card's couldnt make him an offer like that.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by ninjavanish

Ummmmm, $260 Million.

Enough said. Get real bro. I like Pujols. I like the Cardinals. But when someone throws what basically amounts to a $260 Million retirement plan at you... you gotta think about the future... not just here and now. The Card's couldnt make him an offer like that.

Which breaks down to an extra $4 million a year. If I made $25 million for 10 years, I'd glady give up $4 million a year to be an absolute legend.
Seriously, a $200 million retirment plan isn't enough. I need to get real? C'mon now.

[kelmac07]

Originally Posted by ninjavanish

Ummmmm, $260 Million.

Enough said. Get real bro. I like Pujols. I like the Cardinals. But when someone throws what basically amounts to a $260 Million retirement plan at you... you gotta think about the future... not just here and now. The Card's couldnt make him an offer like that.

I'm with Jeremy on this one. He has two rings with the Cardinals. Jose Reyes just broke our hearts by doing the same thing. But when I stop and think about it...what would I do? While the Cardinals have a better chance at winning than my Mets do, it is still very hard to turn down that kind of money. He's only get this opportunity once in his life and he went with the money.

[jonumberone]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Jose Reyes just broke our hearts by doing the same thing.

Weren't you the one who thanked him for 9 great years?
Not sure Reyes left for more $, considering the Mets never made him an offer!

[kelmac07]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

Weren't you the one who thanked him for 9 great years?
Not sure Reyes left for more $, considering the Mets never made him an offer!

I did thank him for nine great years...doesn't mean I wanted to see him leave. The Mets made it very clear that they were willing to go 5 years,$ 75-80 million...with an option for a 6th year. I cannot fault Jose for taking 6 years, $ 106 million and a chance to win now...because even I know that isn't gonna happen anytime soon with the Mets.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

I did thank him for nine great years...doesn't mean I wanted to see him leave. The Mets made it very clear that they were willing to go 5 years,$ 75-80 million...with an option for a 6th year. I cannot fault Jose for taking 6 years, $ 106 million and a chance to win now...because even I know that isn't gonna happen anytime soon with the Mets.

I stand corrected. I didn't know they made him an offer.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

I'm with Jeremy on this one. He has two rings with the Cardinals. Jose Reyes just broke our hearts by doing the same thing. But when I stop and think about it...what would I do? While the Cardinals have a better chance at winning than my Mets do, it is still very hard to turn down that kind of money. He's only get this opportunity once in his life and he went with the money.

I see your point, Mac, but Reyes didn't establish a dynasty with the Mets like Pujols did. Pujols leaving STL is similar to if Jeter left the Yankees in 2001. Or Stan Musial leaving halfway in his tenure, or etc...
Plus, like Dom said, they never even made him an offer.

[kelmac07]

Originally Posted by Starscream

I see your point, Mac, but Reyes didn't establish a dynasty with the Mets like Pujols did. Pujols leaving STL is similar to if Jeter left the Yankees in 2001. Or Stan Musial leaving halfway in his tenure, or etc...

Very true Andy...Pujols has a chance to be the greatest to ever play the game (offensively) and to do that in one place (ala Tony Gywnn) is honorable. But in todays age of free agents and crazy-a$$ contracts...I KNOW I'd take the money. And by the way, Mets and the word dynasty hardly go together in the same sentence.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Very true Andy...Pujols has a chance to be the greatest to ever play the game (offensively) and to do that in one place (ala Tony Gywnn) is honorable. But in todays age of free agents and crazy-a$$ contracts...I KNOW I'd take the money. And by the way, Mets and the word dynasty hardly go together in the same sentence.

You've always got the Miracle '69 team to look back on. Same with Cincinnati. I've always got the BRM from the 70s and the 90 team.

[jonumberone]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Very true Andy...Pujols has a chance to be the greatest to ever play the game (offensively)

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here.
When Albert hits more homeruns than other Teams in the league, ala the Babe, we can talk about that.
Although, with the Mets lineup, it's not as unrealistic as it sounds

FWIW
Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds all played for more than 1 team.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Very true Andy...Pujols has a chance to be the greatest to ever play the game (offensively) and to do that in one place (ala Tony Gywnn) is honorable. But in todays age of free agents and crazy-a$$ contracts...I KNOW I'd take the money. And by the way, Mets and the word dynasty hardly go together in the same sentence.

Would you really take the money over more enjoyable working conditions, Mac? I'd take a job that offered slightly less money for a job where I felt more comfortable, at home, enjoyed a bit more, and felt the most welcome at.

[SvilleKid]

Originally Posted by ninjavanish

Ummmmm, $260 Million.

Enough said. Get real bro. I like Pujols. I like the Cardinals. But when someone throws what basically amounts to a $260 Million retirement plan at you... you gotta think about the future... not just here and now. The Card's couldnt make him an offer like that.

And, at 32 years old now, and a 10 year contract!! He definitely has retirement all wrapped up!

[longknocker]

Originally Posted by ninjavanish

Ummmmm, $260 Million.

Enough said. Get real bro. I like Pujols. I like the Cardinals. But when someone throws what basically amounts to a $260 Million retirement plan at you... you gotta think about the future... not just here and now. The Card's couldnt make him an offer like that.

Money Talks.

[Mattso3000]

To me it appears he's also thinking of the future by moving to the American League. Pretty clear that Pujols has potential DH written all over him.

[jonumberone]

The Cards offer was less than 200 million.
The reports that they moved to 10yrs 220 mil were false.
So its more like 6million per.
Granted, it may only be a drop in the bucket to a 200 million dollar man, but it's still 60 million whichever way you slice it.
I think the DH was a huge factor as well, for both Albert and the club!

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

The Cards offer was less than 200 million.
The reports that they moved to 10yrs 220 mil were false.
So its more like 6million per.
Granted, it may only be a drop in the bucket to a 200 million dollar man, but it's still 60 million whichever way you slice it.
I think the DH was a huge factor as well, for both Albert and the club!

You got a link that supports that? I've heard it reported numerous times today that it was between $200 and $210 million. I'm not sure about a no trade clause offer like the Angels offered.

[jonumberone]

Originally Posted by Starscream

You got a link that supports that? I've heard it reported numerous times today that it was between $200 and $210 million.

I missed today's reports and you are correct.
The final offer was between 200 - 210

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

I missed today's reports and you are correct.
The final offer was between 200 - 210

It's ok. I thought I had bad info for a minute. Just wanted to make sure.

[Starscream]

I guess now I do "get it", but I don't agree with it. Thanks for the conversation and discussion, Mac and Dom.