Comments on: Albert Pujols: On his contract

By: Nutlaw

Nutlaw — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:16:00 +0000

Pujols won’t be traded right now. The Cardinals have a very competitive roster put together right now, and competitive teams don’t trade away their biggest star and biggest draw.

Trading Pujols (particularly right now) would make the Cardinals the bad guys without question. It would be a disastrous PR move. The fans would not accept it. If Pujols left in free agency, at least the team could say that they tried.

By: WestCoastbirdWatcher

WestCoastbirdWatcher — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:34:57 +0000

52, was it the Cardinals that set up the TV interview, so Albert could take any tension out of their private talks? If Albert stays, its going to be a big expensive affair for BD. If he leaves, and BD is not careful, it could be a big expensive affair for him…………..When Albert stands up and say he just wants to stay home, he loves it here, he’s just a victim of market forces just like everyone else, where does the weight land?

BD saves 22 million if he pushes now. Probably ends up with Adrian Gonzales and still wins the division. You think that Albert has as much leverage being paid by another team based on his performance in the next two years? I don’t know who set up the interview. Maybe Brian does.

By: Bw52

Bw52 — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:55:48 +0000

unlike some posters i don`t see a shooter in the graasy knoll.I see someone saying he likes where he is and feels comfortable with it.IMO a deal will be made well before 2011 hits.

By: WestCoastbirdWatcher

WestCoastbirdWatcher — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:27:14 +0000

The fact that he is doing that interview is tell enough. All of you. Do you honestly think that Albert isn’t protecting his own interests. WC says,”this would one of the most likely places to make a change”. Albert is swimming away from the cleverly shaped image that was being created by Cardinal PR machine. His agent is trying to get him away from this perception. Sweet farm boy to the rescue.

Don’t forget, any contract talks are still about an interpretation of the market, and Albert’s value in it. I really doubt they’re very close together on that. Considering Albert/Tony’s recent win streak, and Tony’s eventual departure, any contract would likely have an opt-out. BD isn’t going to like that. Both sides are playing hot and heavy………the public perception is the instrument. Don’t forget, the only reason they’re talking has to do with Albert’s timetable…………and that he gains leverage as time passes.

By: CariocaCardinal

CariocaCardinal — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:22:09 +0000

IF Pujols wants to be a Cardinal forever and IF Pujols doesn’t want the contract to be a distraction — he can resolve both situations. He cant resolve what people want to think about.

By: Pitchers Hit Eighth

Pitchers Hit Eighth — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:20:07 +0000

Possible misdirection?

We all know that the Cardinals like to “go dark” before making a big move or announcing something huge.

Remember that (at least for me) Pujols’ last extension kind of just appeared out of the blue one day.

By: Brian Walton

Brian Walton — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:44:27 +0000

Seems very clear to me.

Pujols feels his intentions were misrepresented.
He wants to remain a Cardinal forever.
He wishes people would not be focused on his contract now.

By: JumboShrimp

JumboShrimp — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:31:42 +0000

Albert must admire the reportage of Rains more than that of Strauss. Why do the two accounts differ? Albert’s message seems unshort. The longer it is, the less easy to summarize.