Looking for information on the current status of Albert Pujols’ contract or some crystal ball insight into the “Jim Hendry hug”? Of course you guys are, who are we kidding?
But is there even anything to read into here?
Here’s the skinny:
- Yes, Albert Pujols and Jim Hendry hugged and they have been sort of chummy as of late.
- Yes, the Cubs have a bit of money and yes they have no solution at first base.
- Yes, the Cardinals’ organization and Pujols have not reached any sort of deal since both parties have “put things off” for the “interim”.
- Yes, all of the above offer enough speculation for any theorist to wax socially on “what could happen”.
Well hold on there baseball fans, because there a few discrepancies that need to be mentioned.
First and foremost, the MLB Rumor Mill is as powerful as the after effects of a Hatfield Dog on Dollar Dog Night at Citizen’s Bank Park—and let me tell ya, those dogs pack a wallop after an hour or so.
That being said, every tidbit of news has to be taken with a grain of salt simply because the likelihood of Pujols remaining in St. Louis is rather high, and the likelihood of the Cubs actually being able to afford Pujols is rather low.
Speaking on the point of monetary overindulgence, the rumor mill also suggests—as many other news outlets—that the projected asking price is somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 million dollars.
Yeah ok, the Cubs are already on the hook with Zambrano ($50+ million plus bonuses) Soriano ($75+ million and then some) and Fukudome ($13+ million), so any notion of the Cubs magically coughing up another $200 million is a bit of a reach to say the least.
Not to mention the Cardinals would probably want the farm, in addition to the cash, if interested in dealing Pujols.
Now, earlier this year I did a write up on the Albert Pujols Contract Saga but even then said he would in all likelihood stay; a stance I obviously still am firm on.
As it stands right now, I don’t see Pujols going anywhere, and even if some sort of deal is secretly in the works, we probably won’t find out about it until later down the road.
Now, if you are here looking for fantasy baseball advice, the counsel is simple: Play the market or stick with Ol’ faithful – the choice is yours.
Yes Pujols is a bit pedestrian in the power department, and overall, he’s providing fantasy baseball owners some underachieving numbers in regard to what most are used to with Pujols (.269 BA, 7 HR and 24 RBI) so the choice is yours —you can sell high, or wait for him to catch up, which he most certainly will.
Either way you should make out, so long as what you do is tailored towards you point structure and you aren’t duped into a bad trade.
EX: Pujols for Matt Joyce and another trendy player (no matter who) = Bad Trade!
Pujols for Adrian Beltre and a possible deal fluffer = Good Trade!
Pujols for Curtis Granderson, Lance Berkman and a pitching prospect = A Wet Dream!
Sorry had to throw the last one there, but I hope this little write up helps you guys out none-the-less.
Wanna hear more about the future of brand name players? Come check out Jorge Posada's future in New York!
