Comments on: Albert Linkpalooza (and a word on the charges of greed)

By: Erik Manning

Erik Manning — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:28:59 +0000

I’ve been on Team Mang for a while, but if it is the rumored 10/$300, I wouldn’t begrudge BDW a bit for letting him walk.

By: Chuck Brownson

Chuck Brownson — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:24:42 +0000

Good stuff as always, Erik. I’m always puzzled by the complaints about ballplayers being too greedy, as many Cards’ fans have portrayed Albert through this ordeal. Why does no one complain that Bill DeWitt is being too greedy in not giving Albert all the money he’s asked for? How much money does Albert need? Well, how much does BDW need?

This is a business and this is how business is done. I don’t begrudge Albert for trying to get what he’s worth. He deserves to be paid as the best player in the game, whether he gives a ton of it to charity or not. By the same token, BDW has a right to run his team as a business and make decisions that are in the long-term interest of the team and if that means not giving Albert 10 and $300 then so be it.

By: Steve Sommer

Steve Sommer — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 03:54:03 +0000

Yeah according to Cots they have ~105 on the books for 2011, so a similar team in 2012 + 14 is more for Albert plus built in raises and such would seem to point to 125 or 130… seems feasible.

Hows that 12M we’re paying Lohse next year looking?

By: Erik Manning

Erik Manning — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 03:48:35 +0000

That’s fair. I agree on the payroll, they’re going to have to hike it some. I really don’t want to hear about the new stadium as an excuse anymore. I don’t think they have to go $150 necessarily, but $120-130 range. The White Sox don’t draw nearly as well as the Cardinals, and they seem to be able to afford it.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 21:07:18 +0000

Agree with your last comments there. It’s pretty lame for people to try and assume what he’s thinking to vilify him.

By: flavius217

flavius217 — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 17:11:16 +0000

Excellent post, Erik. I don’t begrudge Albert wanting to get paid, nor do I begrudge BDJ for wanting to make a profit in his business venture.

That said, I just don’t see how Albert gets paid by BDJ without a payroll hike to the $150M range.

By: Andy Beard

Andy Beard — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:03:32 +0000

Those were great articles you linked to, Erik.

Personally, I’ve felt like yawning anytime someone brings up the Pujols contract decision… which is strange because it has such major implications for the future of my favorite team. But reporters just keep typing/saying/tweeting the same thing because they are expected to know SOMETHING.

However, it’s possible (and maybe probable) that the Cardinals and Pujols are doing a pretty good job at keeping their promise of private negotiations. I find it extremely difficult to believe that they are worlds apart in asking prices or, “not even speaking the same language,” as one reporter put it. How is that even conceivable when the entire baseball community pretty much knew Pujols’ starting price ($30 Mil AAV over 10 yrs) and the Cardinals’ likely counter-offer ($25-27 Mil AAV over 6-8 yrs)?

Even though the perceived deadline looms ever so close, I can’t help but believe Pujols will be a Cardinal by this time next year.