16
2011
Could A Cardinal Sin Become The Mets Salvation?
An article by 
Albert Pujols is undoubtedly one of the greatest players the game of Baseball has ever seen. It simply goes without question. If dominance was a person he would look like the chiseled Latin Superman that is Pujols. Today, he and his agent Dan Lozano, turned down St. Louis’ contract extension.
The terms of the deal, at least according to the tight lipped Cardinal hierarchy of General Manager John Mozeliak and Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., will stay a closely guarded state secret. Speculation has it that Pujols’ agent was looking for a deal in the range of 10 years at 30 million per. I honestly wouldn’t be shocked if it was even higher – somewhere around 40 million per.
The move by Pujols agent, to set the first day of Spring Training as the self imposed deadline to negotiate a new contract, was absolute genius. Pujols is firmly cemented in the drivers seat and if there is anyone who will have this looming over them, it most certainly will be the St. Louis executives who most likely, have set in motion Albert Pujols’ slow and deliberate exit from the St. Louis stage.
Enter the Wilpons. Or Mark Cuban. Or The Donald. Or whoever else will be the last man or men standing when the wake of Madoff makes it final slice into American history and into the wallets of the Wilpons. If by sheer foolishness, the Cardinals can’t meet Pujols demands, what better marquee player could the Mets have than Albert Pujols?
What better player to rehabilitate a franchise? He would be a game changer the same way Steve Phillips who at the behest of Nelson Doubleday, made Mike Piazza the face of the franchise in the latter half of the 90’s and into the 2000’s.
Of course that was then, and this is now and unless there is a major cosmic alignment on multiple fronts, starting with ownership, the possibility of this happening is utter fantasy.
Just think of this. How incredible would it be as a fan? Could ownership ( whoever it may be ) afford whatever Pujols is asking? Who would wear number 5?
Thoughts?
About the Author: Joe Spector
I'm just your regular Joe. Staff writer @ Metsmerizedonline.com. Happily married and a father to a baby girl. I attended my first Met game at the ripe old age of 3 where my father scored a foul ball and had it signed by Lee Mazzilli, Joe Torre and Joe Pignataro. It was my Holy Grail - 'till I buried it in the backyard. I have my own website where you can read my drivel at your leisure @ www.thespectorsector.net
23 Comments + Add Comment
Recent Comments
- Satish Ram: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: Hey Neil, You'd be surprised how many players...
- Neil S.: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: I hope the players and their families...
- alfred: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: Though looking on the bright side Ike...
- Markcomic1: on Choo Could Be Impact Outfielder For Mets In 2014, But Would Cost A Pick: Choo is a nice player but, Citifield...
- alfred: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: Following team sing 67. Most unwatchable...
MMO Mets Chat
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5379 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1269 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
OK I haven’t even read the article yet but i have to give you props on your use of Cardinal Sin.
Well done.
Pujols a Met? We will hear endlessly about his age, about his worsening numbers last year, about how the money can’t be spent elsewhere…. Who needs the best when you can bring back the likes of Jason Isringhausen. Most posters here can’t differentiate between Lee and Young, between Feiciano and Tankersley, between Thole and Posey… Why would these people want Pujols?
Wow…
Aww come on dude. Now that we know he will be a free agent, at least give us the opportunity to dream a little bit even if it doesn’t happen.
I read that the Cards only offered 22 mil a year! That’s a slap in the face if it’s true.
Since this is a fantasy exercise, it should have a # set.
22mill a year, or 40? 6 years or 10?
makes a difference.
Harry C. goes the hyperbole route once more. The Wilpons will take Lee, Tankersley, Posey and Pujols just to keep Harry happy. It’s a great life with the other guy’s money isn’t it?
It’s time to get real and see what we have, not just what our payroll is missing.
You can’t tell the difference between a Spring Training invite and a signing……
You mean Buster Posey? The guy who the Giants brought up last season?
How did you involve him in the conversation?
Harry where do you think Lee and Posey came from? THE DRAFT. Posey was a first rounder #5 but Lee was a 4th rounder. We could have drafted him. Phillips was too busy selecting Billy Traber, Bobby Keppel, Matthew Peterson and Josh Reynolds, four pitchers we drafted who never did s**t in the Majors as usual before Lee was selected.
This is why we always have so many spots to fill and always have to go get an unproductive or soon to be injured shell of their former selves and frequently give up draft choices to do so and then have to live with the poor performance for years on end.
I may have to unplug the internet if the pujols chatter is going to become an everyday thing for the rest of the year. I can just hope that they reconcile and get a deal done before the season starts.
IMO though, any move needs to be done with the overall team performance (as in wins) in mind for the next 5 or so years. Not to make a statement, or sell tickets (with the implication that it isn’t just because they are winning the division).
So, it remains to be seen if the team develops in a way that at year end, they are 1 big, expensive, 32 YO 1B away from being a sustained threat over the next few years?
moot point anyway most likely unless there is a new owner in place by then.
because if there is still a budget near the level it is now, is it better to let Reyes walk, not sign any new SP, etc. and reinvest everything in Pujols?
NO.
Did you unplug the internet when the first Halladay will be traded rumors started? What about the Sabathia rumors? I dont know how old you are but did you unplug the internet whne the rumors that the Dodgers were gonna trade Piazza started? Shyt happens and it usually happens when the players gives the team a deadline and the deadline comes and goes.
Actually I think he did unplug his internet.
it’s wireless. Would require going in the other room and crawling behind the desk to unplug the router. Not worth the effort.
LOL
there is a difference between reasonable discussions and what probably amounts to a fantasy.
and Pujols also said no trade, so unlike those situations, this would have to linger the entire season.
Best as I can recall, there was little disucssion about C.C. or Halladay to the mets. Or at least it can up, got beaten around, and we all moved on pretty quickly.
Not only were there extensive rumors tying Halladay to the Mets, Jon Heyman and Peter Gammons actually reported that the Mets rejected a deal because of their refusal to include Jon Niese in a deal if I remember correctly. I understand your frustration, but this is a blog and even more unique because it has like lke a dozen diffent bloggers all wanting do toss out Mets ideas to debate. You have to be more open to hypothetical stuff like this, and emember the timing is perfect because it posted on the day talks broke down and Pujols now has a date with free agency.
Sure, discuss a rumor if it is legit, or topically, etc. Expected when it is around the trade deadline, that is what is expected.
What was making me scared was the idea of a post per day for the next 6 months about Pujols.
Well in that case we are absolutely in agreement. After this, I dont want to see another Pujols post until July and then post your hearts out after the world seeries when free agency begins.
Yup. this is the time to discuss the 2011 team and ST battles, just a bit premature for extensive discussions on next off season!
Honestly, we spent $ million on the likes of Castillo, Perez, and Beltran (Being the one out of the bunch who actually came close to earning his money).
Beltran $18.5 million
Perez $12 million
Castillo $ 6 million
———————-
Total $36.5 million
- $30 million for Pujols
———————-
Nets $6.5 million left over
Now I certainly would think that paying Pujols his $30 million instead of dumping it on players who hardly leave the injury or shit box is a great investment. Plus if we can trade him halfway through his contract, we might be able to return some great prospects.
Still have to have money to resign Reyes and maybe find a starter.
If I was a GM I don’t think I would sign anyone to the kinda contract that he is rumored to want. That’s just way to much and way to limiting. He is the best player in the NL but that won’t last forever. I just wouldn’t do it.