Pujols signs w Angels

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

So you didn't read the thread, then. The tone has changed immensely over the last several days. From the start I said I don't have a problem with him taking the money. But don't try to make it more than it was.

Besides, what grounds did he have to complain about the first contract? It was among the highest in baseball when it was signed and it included 2 arbitration years. It's easy to say that he was underpaid now (and he was), but when that contract was signed there was very real angst throughout the Cardinal community that the contract would be a serious problem going forward. It was absolutely a fair contract.

Business is business - spare me the lying about your motives and for the love of all things sacred, just shut up about being 'insulted' when you were offered the 2nd highest annual salary in the history of baseball over 5 years, then you were offered a contract that was the second highest in the history of baseball.

The Cardinals offered to dedicate a hell of a lot more of their net value and their payroll to Pujols than the Angels did, that's for sure.

So Albert was more 'respected' by the Angels because Anaheim plays in a larger market, didn't finance a new ballpark (and therefore aren't carrying $200 million in debt) and can afford to make a FA splash?

Sure Albert, whatever you say.

Take your money and go.

Now, look at this for Albert's perspective. You played out what ended up being a sweet heart deal for the Cards without so much as a complaint and carried the team for a decade. You expect to be rewarded for your service for a close to market value contract when the next one is up and what do the Cards do? They low ball a 5 year deal when the guy is looking for 10 and is obviously worth it to a few teams. I would guess after that offer came out he was probably dead set against returning the Cards regardless of what they raised the offer to. I think it was more pride and anger then greed, but that's just my opinion.

If I was a Cards fan I would be angry with the front office for low balling him initially which from the wifes interview was the start of the problem.