What did St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols say about his contract in spring training during the most recent two springs?
With no clear indications that St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols will speak directly with the press about his contract upon his expected Thursday arrival at spring training camp, I thought it appropriate to share a subset of the first baseman’s remarks from the last two springs.
In 2009, it was not about the money. It was about having a winning team around him. By the next spring, Pujols still wanted to stay with St. Louis, but acknowledged he was not in control of the entire situation.
The following was reported by MLB.com’s Matthew Leach on February 15, 2009. Emphasis is mine.
“Do I want to be in St. Louis forever? Of course,” Pujols said. “…People from other teams want to play in St. Louis and they’re jealous that we’re in St. Louis because the fans are unbelievable. So why would you want to leave a place like St. Louis to go somewhere else and make $3 or $4 more million a year? It’s not about the money. I already got my money. It’s about winning and that’s it.”
“When that time comes, then we’re going to figure it out,” he said. “And I told you, I’m not going to lie to you, it’s not about the money all the time. It’s about being in a place to win and being in a position to win. If the Cardinals are willing to do that and put a team every year like they have, I’m going to try to work everything out to stay in this town. But if they’re not on the same page of bringing championship caliber to play every year, then it’s time for me to go somewhere else. Where? Somewhere else that I can win.”
The AP’s summary of the same spring 2009 discussion included Pujols’ appreciation of his current eight-year, $111 million contract, signed in early 2004.
“When I signed my contract I was really happy with what I got. When that time comes (for another contract) then we’re going to figure it out,” Pujols said.
Of course, during the ensuing 12 months, the Cardinals not only traded three top prospects for Matt Holliday, they re-signed the outfielder to a club-record seven-year, $120 million contract after he went into free agency. In the process, team competitiveness was apparently taken off the table.
Talking with Bernie Miklasz of the Post-Dispatch on February 27, 2010, Pujols appeared to have reduced his optimism level. While the player made it clear he wanted to remain with St. Louis, he also pointed out that he was not in total control of the situation.
“People in St. Louis and our fans around the country know where I want to be. And that’s St. Louis. There’s no city like St. Louis to play baseball. And the way the city has embraced me, and my family and our charitable foundation has been unbelievable. I am blessed. So why would I want to go anywhere else?
“I appreciate being a Cardinal. I appreciate wearing this uniform. I appreciate being part of the legacy over the last nine years and I want to continue to do that. I appreciate being around the Hall of Famers. I don’t think there’s many organizations who have that. I think we have the most (living) Hall of Famers, and they come around. You see Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, Red Schoendienst all the time. They spend time with us. You appreciate talking baseball with all of those guys. So why would I want to go anywhere?
“Do I want to do this right now and take care of this so we don’t need to worry about it? Of course. If it happens, it happens. But there are some things I am able to control and there are other things that are out of my hands that I can’t control. And that’s the truth.”
Whether that final reference was to Cardinals ownership or God or both is unclear. Earlier in the process, Pujols commented his future was in God’s hands, but recent remarks have not focused on that factor.
What will Pujols say this week, if anything?
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I received a heads up that the P-D link in the above blog post is broken. That is true. While the link is accurate, the paper has a practice of removing articles after some months. This one originally ran 11 1/2 months ago. Because I know that, I keep copies of certain articles. Fortunately, this one was included. The story was entitled “Camp puts smile on Pujols’ face”. I am guessing this year’s headline will be different.
Not missing a chance to make a buck, Pujols 5 Restaurant is opening an hour early for a watch party. Honest.
Just giving back to the community Brian……….bring your hymnals and turn to page 152 and we’ll be singing amazing grace as the domesday clock reaches zero.
I’ve never been there. Is it $8.50 for a cup of beer?
Alberts bunch fires back as PR War 1 is heating up.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/15/heyman-the-cardinals-have-offered-albert-pujols-an-eight-year-contract/
This is a wonderful time to calibrate your perceptual acuity. You will learn more about your team in the next 2 days than in the last to years……….if you listen and watch. JS is spouting something about numbers……….someone is trying to take some of the sting off if Lozano drops any bombs.
The good part here is that everyone already knows where this is going.
Tony taking a shot at the union fizzled……….whether he was doing in defense of AP or aiding a defenseless BD……we’ll never no………..clever man……kind of.
Kyle with some face time on the mlb network WC. Bull durham quotes. I was waiting for him to drop down crying because Albert hasn’t signed. But nada. What gives?
Cards have issued formal statement that no deal is done. As expected, quotes from Mo and BDW Jr. say nothing other than it was a “substantial, long-term offer”. They also confirmed they will respect Pujols’ wishes and not negotiate during the season. Press conference in about 30 minutes.
My guess is most in the clubhouse feel like this may reel Albert back in some. Carp is feeling a little stronger today…chest is poking out a little bit. Holliday really is feeling like he may be the man…calling teammates and saying lets go guys. I like that…..leadership. But all that being said, outside of Yadi I’m guessing nobody really cares. Its not like they hang out with Albert off of the field. meh.
RC-you are loving this .In your glory aren`t you.Last i looked outside the sun was still up and life went on.The Cards are still there.Like you sai “my guess”………………………………is? Are you trying to be Hedda Hopper now? Guessing and just wild speculation abound?
Well BW, I believe I stated way back that Albert would not be signed before next winter…..but I do believe he will be signed by the Cardinals. Guess.
I will enjoy watching Albert get questioned every time he goes 0 for 4 in a game and I’ll enjoy listening to all the questions about is Albert’s contract status affecting the team every time they lose 2 games in a row. I will enjoy watching how the best player in the game handles that. Np guess, fact.
I do enjoy all those that said Albert wouldn’t hold out for the money because he loved St. Louis and he was too big of a christian to not sign for less money now trying to come up with some reason why Albert didn’t sign an extension.
I will enjoy seeing Matt H take control of this team now that Albert didn’t sign and extension because I’m about winning not hero worshiping and this team needs leadership in order to win. Albert can be the hero now and Matt can feel like he is the future and will step in. I believe the team is better right this minute than they were 2 hours ago.
I say all that while sitting here in my glory BW.
By the way BW, look at the poll up above…..who are the fans in support of at this moment?
RCW-Why should i give a damn about who the fans support? A lot of fans will be down on Albert because of the so-called greed factor.A lot of fans will be down with the organization because somw will say sign him no matter what the cost.Who is right and who is wrong?Since none of us are privy to the inside true numbers being discussed by EITHER SIDE that just makes all of us glorified wild ass guessers.Westy included.
The sun will still come up everyday and i will be a Cards fan no matter who is playing 1B.Yeah it would be great to have the best player playing 1B for the next 8 or 10 years,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if it doesn`t happen i will still be here rooting for the team no matter what.I have been a fan almost 50 years and don`t plan on changing now.
Your comments show your reasons for being here.
What is your reason for being here BW?
I forgot to mention that I posted a recap on the main site this afternoon that includes Mo video from the press conference.
Now that the madness is over, let’s start getting some ST reports.
ST games in less than two weeks. Hopefully Shannon will be calling the game on March 1, I’ve already put in to take the afternoon off.
If nine guys in Cardinal suits show up to play the Pads on opening day I’ll be all set.
Its always good to have a few key people in their contract year……..Frankie, Carp, Tony, and one more if I recall.
I just arrived home after traveling 400 miles for my Aunt’s funeral. I missed Stan Musial’s ceremony and the Pujols’ stuff (other than what was reported on twitter and here). I know no deal was made, big surprise.
Frankly, since no one knows what really went on, how can anyone take a side? Did the Cardinals lowball Albert? Or is Albert being greedy? Don’t know therefore I take no side til I do know.
At this point there is no blame to be laid on anyone. Albert is doing what he should do which is to find out what he is worth and the club is going to let the market dictate his worth. Everyone is doing what they should do.
Now we can debate who is at fault for this situation reaching this point……………….but I’ve beaten that to death so I’ll just sit back and enjoy this year of Albert and then worry next winter.
Pujols just released a statement to USA Today and Yahoo. Here is the link.
Big wup.