Huh, so the Cardinals stuck to their guns. The set a limit that they would not exceed, and they made that their final offer. Pujols called the bet and the Angels came away with a new first baseman. Here's my initial reaction: Good signing for the Angels for the first few years. No matter how they structured the deal they will get a couple very productive years out of Pujols. Then Albert hits 35 years old and that $25M a year (avg salary) begins to weigh the team down a bit. Pujols is an amazing player, but after 35 don't expect .330/35/120 numbers. I would expect .290/30/100 numbers. Still damn impressive, but not elite at that moment. Then look at those years from 2018 - 2021. Pujols will be around the 40 year old mark and will be exclusively a DH. Maybe he can keep up those numbers...but chances are they fade a little. Not because he can't hit at that point, but because he is missing games on the DL. Look for a strong average still, but power and production numbers down for the season total.
So, Pujols, congrats on signing a great contract for you. You needed to go to the AL so that you can ride off into the sunset as a DH, you did that. You needed to go to a team that has deep pockets in a big market, you did that. Thanks for the memories here in St. Louis. I am sorry to see you go, especially after your "it's not about the money", and "I want to finish my career in St. Louis" comments. But I understand. Listen, if another company comes to me and offers me significantly more money each year, in a better climate with a chance to make that organization the best in class for the next 10 years, I'd listen too. You are taking a chance here. You have no past with the Angels. If you don't do well right from the start, it will be a tough hill to climb. But you have the skills to make this work for you. Good luck.
Now, the Cardinals on the other hand have to feel like it is Christmas. Not because they just lost one of the best players of all time, but because they now have about $20M a year to go play with. We have a near-term 1B replacement in Berkman. Let's go get a SS and 2B and make this lineup incredible.
Let me dream:
SS Rollins
CF Jay
LF Holliday
1B Berkman
3B Freese
RF Craig
C Molina
2B TBD - almost has to be a trade as the market is thin
P Carpenter, Wainwiright, Garcia, Westbook, Lohse
With the right guy at 2B, you might even have to move Molina to #8. And there still is a bunch of money to fill the bench and RP.
It's time for Holliday to be the player he was in CO. He can put up Albert numbers, let's hope he helps us forget about a potential hole in the #3 spot in the order.
I can't wait for April 4 Opening Day!
-Serge
