2011 MLB Season Thread

[rams80]

So... He has ALL the leverage, yet HE'D be the one to concede his preference to play the position he's worked his butt off at and turned himself into a Gold Glover? Why of course. How stupid of me not to see the logic in that. Thank you.

Given how the Gold Glove award criteria seems to be "name the first guy you can think of at each position" I'm not sure how meaningful hitting the award threshold is for him.

[McCall]

Cardinal fans: Get the ceremonial knives out, because Albert Pujols ain't going to be in St. Louis after this season.

You can't assume now that he's gone after the season. The rejected offer actually happened a couple weeks ago, reportedly. It's just now getting out because of how private the talks are remaining. I don't think he'll sign before Spring Training. And even though he won't negotiate during the season doesn't mean his agent and the Cardinals won't have "talks". How do you go 6 months without ever at least chatting about it. I think he'll go into free agency, but eventually both teams will go up/come down on the price (Cards will probably make the most concessions) and he'll be signed. It's mainly the length of the contract that's the issue. With a 10-year deal, he'll be 41 during the final year of the contract. If anybody deserves to be signed through that age it's him, but that's still a pretty high risk. I'd definately say give him $30m/year over 7 or 8 years, but if he wants 10, then the annual price needs to come down. He definately deserves to be paid more than A-Rod, but he and the Yankees (and Rangers) screwed up everything.

Your assumption the Yankees or Sawx won't just completely go over the top on the Cardinals next offseason is likely flawed.

Although these teams do have Teixiera and Gonzalez right now...

Setting aside the fact that Pujols is a slight upgrade over them, there's also this thing called the DH. Maybe you've heard of it.

Of course, this is true.

As long as one of the other guys agree to switch. Pujols won't DH.

Unless they offer him 10 full years at $30 million. Money talks, eh?

So... He has ALL the leverage, yet HE'D be the one to concede his preference to play the position he's worked his butt off at and turned himself into a Gold Glover? Why of course. How stupid of me not to see the logic in that. Thank you.

Take away the comment about turning himself into a Gold Glover, and you have the Adam Dunn situation all over again. Despite saying he wouldn't go to the AL because he didn't want to DH, he signed in Chicago anyways with the White Sox. Why? Because unlike Washington, they were willing to give him the 4 year contract he wanted.

Difference is, Dunn is a terrible firstbaseman. I think he finally realized all he can do is hit. Pujols on the otherhand is an excellent firstbaseman and not the kind of guy who only wants to play half the game. Between the Sawx and Yanks, I'd see the New York having the better shot at getting Teixeira to switch. Boston has David Ortiz, at the moment, who can only DH. If they let him go, then you might get Gonzalez to switch to DH or maybe the outfield if their's a spot open, which at the moment there's not.

Still my money's on the Angels if he does indeed leave. Moreno has vowed to spend to make the team better and all he got this offseason was taking over the "untradeable" contract of Vernon Wells. Kendry Morales would easily move to DH, especially with not being quite as established as the other guys in Boston and New York. I can't see him going to the Cubs and the Mets are in no financial shape to spending that kind of money. The Dodgers are still a possibility too. I'd rank the top 5 possibilities like this:

1. Cardinals (wants to finish his career there so you gotta give them the benefit of the doubt at this point)

2. Angels

3. Yankees

4. Dodgers

5. Red Sox (below the others mainly based on having Gonzalez AND Ortiz. If Ortiz is gone after this season, then they could jump unless they just decide that Gonzalez with everyone else is enough.)

Aside from the Cubs being the Cubs, would they really want to take on an enormous contract while still having Soriano's on the books?

[UnclearInitial]

Cardinal fans: Get the ceremonial knives out, because Albert Pujols ain't going to be in St. Louis after this season.

You can't assume now that he's gone after the season. The rejected offer actually happened a couple weeks ago, reportedly. It's just now getting out because of how private the talks are remaining. I don't think he'll sign before Spring Training. And even though he won't negotiate during the season doesn't mean his agent and the Cardinals won't have "talks". How do you go 6 months without ever at least chatting about it. I think he'll go into free agency, but eventually both teams will go up/come down on the price (Cards will probably make the most concessions) and he'll be signed. It's mainly the length of the contract that's the issue. With a 10-year deal, he'll be 41 during the final year of the contract. If anybody deserves to be signed through that age it's him, but that's still a pretty high risk. I'd definately say give him $30m/year over 7 or 8 years, but if he wants 10, then the annual price needs to come down. He definately deserves to be paid more than A-Rod, but he and the Yankees (and Rangers) screwed up everything.

Your assumption the Yankees or Sawx won't just completely go over the top on the Cardinals next offseason is likely flawed.

Although these teams do have Teixiera and Gonzalez right now...

Setting aside the fact that Pujols is a slight upgrade over them, there's also this thing called the DH. Maybe you've heard of it.

Of course, this is true.

As long as one of the other guys agree to switch. Pujols won't DH.

Unless they offer him 10 full years at $30 million. Money talks, eh?

So... He has ALL the leverage, yet HE'D be the one to concede his preference to play the position he's worked his butt off at and turned himself into a Gold Glover? Why of course. How stupid of me not to see the logic in that. Thank you.

The Yankees could switch Jeter to the outfield, A-Rod to shortstop and Teixera to third.

[McCall]

Cardinal fans: Get the ceremonial knives out, because Albert Pujols ain't going to be in St. Louis after this season.

You can't assume now that he's gone after the season. The rejected offer actually happened a couple weeks ago, reportedly. It's just now getting out because of how private the talks are remaining. I don't think he'll sign before Spring Training. And even though he won't negotiate during the season doesn't mean his agent and the Cardinals won't have "talks". How do you go 6 months without ever at least chatting about it. I think he'll go into free agency, but eventually both teams will go up/come down on the price (Cards will probably make the most concessions) and he'll be signed. It's mainly the length of the contract that's the issue. With a 10-year deal, he'll be 41 during the final year of the contract. If anybody deserves to be signed through that age it's him, but that's still a pretty high risk. I'd definately say give him $30m/year over 7 or 8 years, but if he wants 10, then the annual price needs to come down. He definately deserves to be paid more than A-Rod, but he and the Yankees (and Rangers) screwed up everything.

Your assumption the Yankees or Sawx won't just completely go over the top on the Cardinals next offseason is likely flawed.

Although these teams do have Teixiera and Gonzalez right now...

Setting aside the fact that Pujols is a slight upgrade over them, there's also this thing called the DH. Maybe you've heard of it.

Of course, this is true.

As long as one of the other guys agree to switch. Pujols won't DH.

Unless they offer him 10 full years at $30 million. Money talks, eh?

So... He has ALL the leverage, yet HE'D be the one to concede his preference to play the position he's worked his butt off at and turned himself into a Gold Glover? Why of course. How stupid of me not to see the logic in that. Thank you.

The Yankees could switch Jeter to the outfield, A-Rod to shortstop and Teixera to third.

I think A-Rod said he wants to stay at third and not go back to shortstop.

[mania]

The Yankees could switch Jeter to the outfield, A-Rod to shortstop and Teixera to third.

First of all, trim your :censored:ing quotes people. It's not backseat modding, it's just common sense. No need to quote 10 different quotes and clog up the entire :censored:ing page.

Secondly, this is one of the most laughable things I've read on this board, and I've read Will Morris pontificate on a lot of . Players on the wrong side of 30 do NOT change to more challenging defensive positions. At one point, Teix could play third (although not a very good one) and A-Rod could play SS... those days are LONG gone. The Yankees do not make sense for Pujols because Jeter and Rodriguez are physically breaking down. Between that and Montero being horrible in the field and not having a natural position, they will need that DH spot open.

[JayJaxon]

The Yankees already have a shortstop that can't field his position worth a damn. Inserting anyone else there might actually help the team.

[FiddySicks]

The Yankees already have a shortstop that can't field his position worth a damn. Inserting anyone else there might actually help the team.

They could always get Brooks Conrad

But in all seriousness, I really doubt we'll ever see Pujols in any other outfit but a Cardinals uniform. Unless the Cardinals are completely stupid, which they have historically NOT been, they'll pay the outrageous amount for him. And if he keeps it up it'll probably be totally worth it. Well, at least in a modern day baseball sense.

But if he does decide to go anywhere else, I'd personally give him ten bucks to sign with the Giants. Get every Giants fan together to do the same thing and he's ours!

[JayJaxon]

The Yankees already have a shortstop that can't field his position worth a damn. Inserting anyone else there might actually help the team.

They could always get Brooks Conrad

Well played sir. ;-)

[rams80]

The Yankees already have a shortstop that can't field his position worth a damn. Inserting anyone else there might actually help the team.

They could always get Brooks Conrad

But in all seriousness, I really doubt we'll ever see Pujols in any other outfit but a Cardinals uniform. Unless the Cardinals are completely stupid, which they have historically NOT been, they'll pay the outrageous amount for him. And if he keeps it up it'll probably be totally worth it. Well, at least in a modern day baseball sense.

But if he does decide to go anywhere else, I'd personally give him ten bucks to sign with the Giants. Get every Giants fan together to do the same thing and he's ours!

Dare I remind you of Matt Holiday's contract?

[NJTank]

Cardinal fans: Get the ceremonial knives out, because Albert Pujols ain't going to be in St. Louis after this season.

You can't assume now that he's gone after the season. The rejected offer actually happened a couple weeks ago, reportedly. It's just now getting out because of how private the talks are remaining. I don't think he'll sign before Spring Training. And even though he won't negotiate during the season doesn't mean his agent and the Cardinals won't have "talks". How do you go 6 months without ever at least chatting about it. I think he'll go into free agency, but eventually both teams will go up/come down on the price (Cards will probably make the most concessions) and he'll be signed. It's mainly the length of the contract that's the issue. With a 10-year deal, he'll be 41 during the final year of the contract. If anybody deserves to be signed through that age it's him, but that's still a pretty high risk. I'd definately say give him $30m/year over 7 or 8 years, but if he wants 10, then the annual price needs to come down. He definately deserves to be paid more than A-Rod, but he and the Yankees (and Rangers) screwed up everything.

Your assumption the Yankees or Sawx won't just completely go over the top on the Cardinals next offseason is likely flawed.

Although these teams do have Teixiera and Gonzalez right now...

Setting aside the fact that Pujols is a slight upgrade over them, there's also this thing called the DH. Maybe you've heard of it.

Of course, this is true.

As long as one of the other guys agree to switch. Pujols won't DH.

Unless they offer him 10 full years at $30 million. Money talks, eh?

So... He has ALL the leverage, yet HE'D be the one to concede his preference to play the position he's worked his butt off at and turned himself into a Gold Glover? Why of course. How stupid of me not to see the logic in that. Thank you.

The Yankees could switch Jeter to the outfield, A-Rod to shortstop and Teixera to third.

Tex is a much better fielder than Pujols. Pujols is no hack dont get me worng, put Tex is one of the best gloveman at first in the last ten years.

[epper]

This may come as a shock to some but Miguel Cabrera has a bit of a drinking problem.

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has been arrested on drunken driving charges in Florida. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office says the 27-year-old player’s car engine was smoking alongside a road late Wednesday when a deputy spotted the vehicle. According to the arrest report, Cabrera smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and took a swig from a bottle of scotch in front of a deputy.

[McCall]

Tex is a much better fielder than Pujols. Pujols is no hack dont get me worng, put Tex is one of the best gloveman at first in the last ten years.

Yes, Tex has 4 Gold Gloves, but what other good defensive first basemen have there been in the AL? Look at the NL where Pujols has won 2, Adrian Gonzalez 2 and Derek Lee 3. Each of these players have 2 in the last 6 years, from 2005-10. A little more balanced out. Take that same period in the AL, and you have Tex with 4, but look at the other 2 winners, Youkilis, who is pretty good, but the other is Carlos Pena. Alright, but not the quality of the guys in NL. My point is the NL has had better firstbasemen and so Tex looked a little better being in the AL, not to take away from him. He's a helluva firstbasemen. But I'd probably give the edge to Pujols or they're even.

[NJTank]

Keep in mind Pujols has expierence as a corner OF, so it would be easier to move him. I know they are both listed as 6'3" but Tex always seems taller and better at the scoop and stretch throws that help on poor throws for the rest of the infield

Miguel Cabrera is an idiot.

[DEAD!]

This may come as a shock to some but Miguel Cabrera has a bit of a drinking problem.

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has been arrested on drunken driving charges in Florida. The St. Lucie County Sheriff?s Office says the 27-year-old player?s car engine was smoking alongside a road late Wednesday when a deputy spotted the vehicle. According to the arrest report, Cabrera smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and took a swig from a bottle of scotch in front of a deputy.

[McCall]

Keep in mind Pujols has expierence as a corner OF, so it would be easier to move him. I know they are both listed as 6'3" but Tex always seems taller and better at the scoop and stretch throws that help on poor throws for the rest of the infield

Miguel Cabrera is an idiot.

Pujols hasn't played 3B in 10 years. And you're forgetting A-Rod is at third. He's not moving. The Yankees aren't going after Pujols (at least for the moment that's what they're saying). If they signed Pujols, it would only be if Tex switched, most likely to DH. That's not happening unless he comes out and actually says "I will move to DH if it means signing Pujols."

[TBGKon]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/bluejays/2011-02-17-bautista-contract_N.htm

Toronto signs Jose Bautista to a 5 year deal worth $65 mil.

On a personal note, pretty sweet to stand in on the press conference for this deal. Never been to one of those before. One of the great perks of working for the Jays in Florida.

[mania]

So the Jays take their financial freedom from Wells and use the vast majority of it on someone coming off a season he will never touch again.

LOL.

[Lights Out]

He won't replicate his home run numbers from last year but he's still a pretty damn good player.

[mania]

Prior to his fluke season, he'd never broken an ISO of .200, and had never topped a WRC+ of 105. There's no reason to suggest this wasn't the flukiest of flukes, and short of him having found a new magic undetectable super holy steroid, there's going to be out of this world regression, and that contract's going to look AWFUL.

[gingerbreadmann]

No, Lights Out is right. Even Fangraphs says he's been worth 13 or more Replacement runs each of the last 6 years you little sabrematics cheerleader!!!!!!!!!!!! CONSISTENCY!