St. Louis baseball fans awakened to the sombering news that Albert Pujols, one of the greatest Cardinals of all-time, is packing his bags for L.A. after signing an enormous 10-year, $254 million contract with the Angels.
Many fans are predictably upset, searing with jilted-lover syndrome. But you said you loved me. You said it wasn’t all about the money.
Tsk. Tsk.
Baseball is a business and as much as I hate to see the three-time league MVP depart, in free agency money talks and players walk. Miss me with the but either way he’s set for life arguments. By most accounts, the Angels’ offer was more than $40 million higher than the Cardinals’ offer – a sizeable difference. Furthermore, a report by USA Today claims Pujols turned down a $275 million offer from the Florida Marlins. If true, it makes the Cardinals’ offer pale in comparison.
In addition, Pujols’ potential endorsement and business earning opportunities of playing in a massive, bilingual media market dwarf those in St. Louis.
But while Cardinals’ general manager John Mozeliak may have erred before last season and underestimated Pujols’ value on the open market, his most public failure may turn out to be his greatest success.
Had the Cardinals spent $250 million over 10 years to re-sign the star first-basemen, the team would’ve been forced to rely on a steady diet of young, unproven, low-cost prospects and old, injury-prone senior-discount veterans to round out the roster. While that approach worked like a charm this season, as Pujols’ production tails off later in his career, the contract would’ve become an albatross.
Now Cardinals GM John Mozeliak will have to prove his MLB mettle. With Pujols gone, the team should have a ton of cash to fill glaring holes in the lineup and pitching rotation. The team will have a leg up if Adam Wainwright and Allen Craig can return to form after injuries. Regardless, “Mo” will have to work his magic to ensure his world championship team has enough talent to contend without their superstar.
If the Cards can win without Prince Albert, Mozeliak will become the new Redbirds royalty.
Best wishes to Pujols in his new city.
