I agree. A lawsuit is definitely going to stop a NY franchise from bringing in the greatest player in the MLB, maybe history. And Wells is going to prevent the Angels from going after him too. :rolleyes:

The Mets owner is being sued $300 Million, IIRC. If he doesn't sell 20-25% of the franchise and loses the lawsuit, they are ****ed. And Wells has a contract of like 24 mil. per year.

It's not really about the next few years. It's about paying him 30mil a year into his 40's. I wouldn't have a problem with it if the deal was for 7-8 years but not 10.

He's making $21 mil for the next 4 years and he can opt out after this season, but I doubt he does. Regardless, neither one of your points are going to keep either team from signing Pujols.

And that's probably the same position the cardinals are taking inthe negoiations.

He's played like a $30 million/year player for 10 ****ing years. If DeWitt wasn't a total dumbshit, he should have realized that this day was coming, and should have socked at least some of that surplus value away for his eventual raise.

Carpenter and Berkman come off the books after this year. That's 20+ million in savings right there. Add that to Pujols' contract and you're at the same payroll you were before. Lohse comes off after 2012. That's another 10 million/year you can use on Wainwright and Rasmus.

The Cardinals' payroll was around 95 million last year. It has been north of $100 million several years ago in a ballpark that generated less revenue. This team can easily, easily sustain a payroll of $120 million. This comes down to DeWitt being cheap and Mozeliak being stupid.

1b: Pujols (30MM)
2b: Schumaker (3 MM)
SS: Theriot (3.3 MM)
3B: Freese (400k)
LF: Holliday (17 MM)
CF Rasmus (400k)
RF Berkman (8MM)
C: Molina (6.5MM)

Bench:

Jay (400k)
Craig (400k)
Laird (1.1 MM)
Punto (750 K)
Greene (400k)

SP: Wainwright (6.5 MM)
SP: Carpenter (15 MM)
SP: Garcia (400k)
SP: Westbrook (8 MM)
SP:Lohse (11.88 MM)

CP:Franklin (3.5 MM)
SU: Motte (400k)
RRP: McClellan (1.38k)
LHRP: Miller (2 MM)
LHRP: Tallett (750k)
RRP: Boggs (400k)
RRP: Lance Lynn (400k)
RRP: Adam Ottavino (400k)

That's 122.66 million.

Now, whack the Berkman, Lohse, and Carpenter contracts off. That's 35 million in savings.

You mean to tell me that the Cardinals couldn't take 20 million of that 35, giving them a 107 MM payroll, and replace Carpenter, Lohse, and Berkman?? Cut off Theriot and Schumaker. That's another 6 million of replacement-level production.

Basically, if the Cardinals can find a pitcher that can give them 90% of 2010 Chris Carpenter for $10 million per, they'll be able to swing the Pujols extension with no elevation of the payroll. Granted, they should tack on another 15-20 after that. If they spend that money wisely, this team could contend.

The wise long-term moves are to sign Pujols, shed Lohse and Carpenter, replace Berkman with Craig, and let the one strength of the farm system (RRHP) refill the bullpen. The team will need to find two quality MIFs and a #2 starter, because Garcia will never be that (IMO).

You don't think Shelby can be that #2?

What about Miller? The top 3 SPs of the rotation could be: Wainwright, Miller, Garcia with Lynn in the 5th spot. Westbrook is probably a short term solution for a 4th starter.

The other option is to let Pujols walk... and sign 30 Ross Gloads.

In 2014.

There's a chance he could be up with the Cardinals in mid-2013.

No way. AA star this year. Spring training invite and AAA star with a late callup in 2012. The big show in 2013.

He's not going to be a #2 starter then.

Look, there's also a chance you can get surplus value from Descalso, Tyler Greene, Jon Jay, or Allen Craig. If Craig and Descalso pan out as average starters at RF and 2B respectively, this team is in really good shape.

Same with freese, if he can stay healthy.