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Pujols wants Manny in St. Louis; Cardinals do not
January 29th, 2009, 3:51 pm · 5 Comments · posted by Earl Bloom, staff writer
Albert Pujols says he wants Manny Ramirez in St. Louis, but the Cardinals say they don’t want him.
Pujols passed Ramirez’s phone number to St. Louis manager Tony La Russa, and suggested Manny could give the Cardinals a discount because “St. Louis is a great city that supports its players.”
But the Los Angeles Times’ Bill Shaikin called the Cardinals, and was told there was no interest.
Pujols, who just turned 29 earlier this month, has two years plus an option year, all at $16 million per season, left on his contract. It is believed the Cardinals will give him a new contract before picking up that 2011 option.
If I am the Cardinals, I find out how badly Pujols wants Ramirez (below) as a teammate.
Because even at 32, Pujols would command a huge contract in free agency, one that would likely make Mark Teixeira’s look small. St. Louis should be lining up for that home-town discount.
Just the thought of the two best right-handed hitters in baseball in the same lineup every day has me buying into Pujols’ idea.
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5 Comments
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Albert just wants to have someone behind him that pitchers fear. Who can blame him?
Ryan Ludwick had a great year, but can he repeat? Should find out early on, I doubt NL pitchers will shy away from him, at least to begin with.
The inherent problem is that the Cards just don’t have room for Manny, either money or roster slot. Sure, they could bump a Skip Schumaker from the outfield, but you also have to take into account Colby Rasmus waiting in the wings.
Also, Manny seems to be vain enough that a per year number will be important to him. Right now, all of the Cardinal outfielders are team-controlled, with Rasmus yet to come.
Just can’t make sense of it, despite how fun it would be to watch pitchers decide whom to throw to, AP or Manny.
The Cardinals should ask Pujols if he’d give up half his pay to help sign Manny.
You must not watch many National League games, Brian.
Pujols is already underpaid as it is. He will make about $6.5 million less than Teixeira next year. I think he’s about twice the player.
If Pujols ever gets to free agency, all the money records will fall — they might even if St. Louis is paying him.
All I meant was if Pujols wants Manny on his team maybe he should help out. I don’t watch many NL games but I know plenty about Pujols. A lineup with Manny and Pujols would be tough to beat. I just find it funny when players try to tell their team to sign someone. The same thing with Mattingly and Bowa trying to tell McCourt through the media to re-sign Manny. Will they give up part of their salary? Not that I think they should have to. If the Dodgers want a chance this year they have no choice but to cave in to Manny.
Or maybe Manny should suck it up and realize that he’s created his own mess here. He’s the one who forced his own exile from Boston. He’s the one who has alienated teammates. Yeah, he put on a great show in LA - but that was all a ruse to try and get this next big contract.
Tell Manny to sign with the Cards 1 year, $10mm. Be a model teammate, be everything you can be as a hitter, and try to make it seem like you actually care how the team does.
If he did that - that $20mm, 4 year deal will be waiting next offseason.