I can see where your coming from. IMO the Cards will just have to rely more on guys like Lance Berkman and Chris Carpenter. Guys they can get low and then bank on them returning to form. That and they'll have to build up their farm system more.

 

I highly doubt the Cardinals will re-sign him if it will handicap them. Obviously they won't be making big time free agent signings but I just can't see them doing it knowing they won't be able to stay competitive.

 

They didn't exactly get Berkman 'low'

I'm not making a judgment on whether or not he is worth it. I'm saying that I don't think his contract will reach those levels.

 

I don't think his contract will reach those levels either, but it will be ridiculous. I agree that it could financially cripple the Cardinals.

 

The Cards should offer "top dollar" about a week before Opening Day. If Pujols doesn't take it, then they should trade him when they're in 3rd place behind the Reds & Brewers.

Back half of his career but will still hit .300 and 30 hrs for the next 3-4 years at 300 million yikes..

Back half of his career but will still hit .300 and 30 hrs for the next 3-4 years at 300 million yikes..

 

Pujols's worst career batting average was last year - and it was still .312.

 

Worst OBP% for a season? .394 (22 years old, 2nd year in the league. His ONLY time under .400).

 

He hits 3rd in any lineup for the next 5-7 years. He is a gold glove caliber 1st baseman. I'd imagine he's an even better DH.

They didn't exactly get Berkman 'low'

 

For the production he'll put up this year, I think they got him at a good price.

For the production he'll put up this year, I think they got him at a good price.

 

What leads you to believe that Berkman will be worth $8 million this year? Surely you're projection is not based off of last season, when Berkman hit .248 with 14 HR & 58 RBI.

You guys really think some team will offer him 10 years and $300 million?

 

It's possible, but I don't believe it will happen. He will definitely get a big contract which I'm guessing will be somewhere around 240-250 million.

Don't be surprised that he doesn't get all the money but stays in St. Louis. Anheuser Busch will have a say in it even though they don't own the Cardinals any more. A little something something after he retires.

What leads you to believe that Berkman will be worth $8 million this year? Surely you're projection is not based off of last season, when Berkman hit .248 with 14 HR & 58 RBI.

 

I'm basing it off of the track record that Berkman has when he is healthy. I'm also basing it off the evaluations of many people who have worked with Berkman in the offseason and know him best. Look what a full, healthy offseason did for Scott Rolen.

 

Lets look at what people in baseball, who know baseball and baseball players better then us have to say about him.

 

Rice University head coach Wayne Graham: "I think some people might be surprised at what he has left. I can see him having another two or three strong years."

 

Yankee hitting coach Kevin Long: "He had one of the quickest transitions for any player I've seen who needed work, cleaned things up and then took it into high-pressure situations. I think he left New York in a much better place,"

 

And my favorite from Berkman himself: "I want to make 'Mo' a genius."

 

Pulled these from the Joe Strauss article on Berkman http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_21dd4195-2a5a-526b-a659-f9c9efe3c9c5.html

 

The guy is motivated to prove people wrong. IF he stays healthy then the Cardinals got him cheap. If he hits .280 with 20 homeruns and 80 rbi's I'll be happy. I just think he'll go bigger then that. I'll eat my crow if he doesn't...

I'm basing it off of the track record that Berkman has when he is healthy. I'm also basing it off the evaluations of many people who have worked with Berkman in the offseason and know him best. Look what a full, healthy offseason did for Scott Rolen.

 

Lets look at what people in baseball, who know baseball and baseball players better then us have to say about him.

 

Rice University head coach Wayne Graham: "I think some people might be surprised at what he has left. I can see him having another two or three strong years."

 

Yankee hitting coach Kevin Long: "He had one of the quickest transitions for any player I've seen who needed work, cleaned things up and then took it into high-pressure situations. I think he left New York in a much better place,"

 

And my favorite from Berkman himself: "I want to make 'Mo' a genius."

 

Pulled these from the Joe Strauss article on Berkman http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_21dd4195-2a5a-526b-a659-f9c9efe3c9c5.html

 

The guy is motivated to prove people wrong. IF he stays healthy then the Cardinals got him cheap. If he hits .280 with 20 homeruns and 80 rbi's I'll be happy. I just think he'll go bigger then that. I'll eat my crow if he doesn't...

 

It's comforting to know that people think Berkman will do well this season. If Berkman hits .280 with 20 HR & 80 RBI's, the Cards STILL will have overpaid for him.

If his agent really is seeking a 10-year, $300 million contract ... who is going to offer that?

 

Boston has Gonzalez. The Yankees have Teixeira. Who else will pony up that number of years and that kind of dough for a player that is, at the very least, in his early 30s?

The Cubs clear off between $45 and $55 million after 2012. They have no organizational depth at first base and it's believed they may be able to fill some holes at other positions from within the organization after 2012. They signed Pena to a one-year deal with the intent of making a serious pitch for Pujols.

It's comforting to know that people think Berkman will do well this season. If Berkman hits .280 with 20 HR & 80 RBI's, the Cards STILL will have overpaid for him.

 

If you say so. I'd say those are fair numbers for that contract but I know you know baseball better. That's about the production Rolen put up last year and he got paid 7.6 million.

It's not looking good. Less than a day to go....

 

SI_JonHeyman

 

pujols camp at 1 point asked for piece of the team. not technically impossible, but too complicated, so #cardinals said no.

 

SI_JonHeyman

 

#cardinals offer pujols 8-year deal. still very little hope for agreement by wednesday deadline. story up soon on si.com.

If you say so. I'd say those are fair numbers for that contract but I know you know baseball better. That's about the production Rolen put up last year and he got paid 7.6 million.

 

He actually plays defense which is a plus.

I don't think they will reach terms by Weds @ Noon. Sounds like St. Louis is going to roll the dice and see what he gets offered and then go from there. I think that's the best thing they can do from this point honestly. The only thing that worries me is Pujols going to the Cubs.