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| According to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cardinals and Albert Pujols were just $1.33 annually and one year in contract terms away from reaching a contract extension last winter. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images |
Which means that Albert Pujols now is officially less than a month away from possibly playing his last game in a Cardinals uniform.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cardinals made a very valid attempt at locking up their star who has hit at least 30 home runs in each of his first 11 seasons.
Nightengale has two unnamed sources who claim that the organization offered Pujols a nine year, $195 million contract extension last winter. Pujols rejected the deal and according to Nightengale's sources, was asking for a 10 year, $230 million contract.
Prior to the season starting, speculation arose that Pujols was looking for a 10 year, $300 million contract and according to Nightengale's report, that simply was not true.
What is most concerning for Cardinals fans and the organization itself is that Pujols and the Cardinals were really not that far away from reaching a deal. The Cardinals fell just $1.333 million short on an annual basis and just one year short on the length of the contract terms that Pujols was reportedly looking for.
If the two sides were that close last winter, what makes anyone think about that two sides will be able to close that small gap this winter?
Pujols is having a bit of a down season by his standards. He is hitting just .293, which is 35 points below his career average. But Pujols does lead the National League with 34 home runs and has knocked in 85 RBI's.
But coming to an agreement with Pujols will be just that much more difficult for the Cardinals now that he will be free to negotiate with whomever he wishes, which almost guarantees that the price will go higher.
If Nightengale's sources are right, the Cardinals and Pujols missed a golden opportunity to make the slugger a Cardinal for life. The two sides were reportedly just $1.333 million annually and one year away from making a deal.
Now Cardinals must wait and see what kind of offers other clubs will make to Pujols.
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, ALL of these athletes are paid too much money. Make the top pay for any athlete $1 million a year, lower the ticket prices to where normal people can actually afford to go and if they don't like it...SEE YA! I'll bet there are 1,000's of athletes who would LOVE to make that money! These primadonas would play or go get a regular job like everyone else....if they actually have an education and can get one.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why baseball needs a salary cap. This is getting way out of line.
ReplyDeleteHe ain't no God. He's not worth that kind of money.
ReplyDeleteAlbert is worth every bit of $230 for 10 years. Everyone was b----- because they thought he wanted $300 and 10 and I just knew it wasn't true. He is the best thing in my life time the Cardinals have and will have.
ReplyDeletelet albert deside whats best far him and his family
ReplyDelete