Last week it was announced that Albert Pujols signed a $254 million 10 year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. This was a shock to many, as the Angels had not even been reported by anyone in the sports media as being interested in signing him. The Miami Marlins seemed to be the only ones pushing for him other than the Cardinals, and as of late Tuesday it appeared that the Cardinals would likely be able to sign him.
However, in those final hours the Angels came out of left field and offered Pujols the long term commitment and money he was looking for, and ultimately chose to sign with the Angels.
There's been a lot of anger from Cardinal Nation in light of the signing. I've heard of jersey burnings and talks of taking down the statue near his restaurant. This is ludacris.
I don't hate Albert Pujols. He made a business decision, even if he won't admit it. He claims that the Cardinals didn't show commitment and really upset him because their first offer (after the 9 year almost $200 million offer before the 2011 regular season) was 5 years for $27 million a year (which would make him the 2nd highest player in the league). Supposedly he cried. Only $27 million a year for 5 years? Sorry if I can't sympathize with your tears Albert.
Honestly, I do not blame DeWitt in his approach to this. Albert Pujols had to know that there was no way the Cardinals could afford to give him an A-Rod type of deal and still build a competitive team around him. The Cardinals organization saw that Albert wanted more money and they attempted to compromise with a shorter term more money per year deal.
Obviously, the Pujols camp didn't like this (hence the crying) so the Cardinals relented and ultimately offered 10 years for $210 million.
Albert claims it wasn't about the money, but it was. How much time has he spent with the Angels front office vs the Cardinals? It seems he felt that the Cardinals should have been willing to pay whatever for him because the Cardinals got him at a discount for so long. But Albert, didn't you also say you wanted to win? The Cardinals could not afford to pay you what you wanted and still be able to spend the money to keep the team competitive. They tried to offer you something that would earn you enough money to be set for life but it wasn't enough for you.
So, off to the Angels he goes. I get it. He gets the big money deal he wanted. He has the chance to live in LA, and buy an expensive home on the beach with an ocean view if he wants. He has the glitz of Hollywood and will be able to make tons of money with endorsement campaigns as he will be more accessible. But more importantly, the Angels are an American League team. What does that mean? Albert has the option of playing 1st base, or being the DH. If he starts to have problems physically handling 1st base? He can be the DH and retire that way. The NL can't offer that.
So you know what? Good for him. I hope the Angels and the LA fans treat him well. I hope Albert does well, but not so well that he beats the Cardinals. The good thing about this situation is, unless the Cardinals and the Angels meet up in a World Series, won't have to worry about that.
Cardinals fans shouldn't hate Albert. He gave us a lot of fun and great years and he is a good guy who does a lot with charity and I am sure the Pujols Foundation will continue to do a lot for St. Louis, just like former Ram Kurt Warner still continues to do with his charity. But that depends on how Cardinals fans treat Albert following this news. If Cardinals fans run him out of town, what does that say for the best baseball fans in the country? Could Cardinals fans be that horrible to force Pujols to no longer have a presence in St. Louis?
Bottom line, it sucks for Cardinals fans to lose Albert. But the Cardinals are not in bad shape and will continue to compete without him. Who was the MVP of the NLCS and the World Series? Oh yeah, David Freese. Not Albert.
5 years from now, we'll see where Albert is and where the Cardinals are. Albert may help the Angels get to the postseason the next few years. But the Cardinals will still have a good shot at doing that too. Remember they have Carpenter, Wainwright, Berkman, Freese, Holliday, Craig and others who can help the Cards win. The Cardinals will be fine and will continue to compete as always.
I'm sad to see Albert leave, but I get it. I just wish Albert would admit that it was about money and we'd all move on.
For those of you who are still angry, check out this parody:
In general, Albert, I wish you luck. I hate that you aren't a Cardinal but I'm glad that DeWitt wasn't willing to pay $254 million. Thank you for your years with St. Louis. We will remember everything you've done for us and perhaps, someday, we'll see you again in the World Series.
And you know what? We will kick your a#$.
Have fun in LA Albert.
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