Pujols to Angels

[bluehenbillk]

Enjoy that WS title St. Louis, you won't contend again for a while.

[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]

Here it is

http://scott-miller.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270335/33753584

[darell1976]

I wished the Indians would have taken him. We need power hitters!!

[AppAlum2003]

Another "over spend on some huge name" by the Angels. This seems to happen every single off season. They're going to be awfully upset when Al fails his upcoming HGH test.

[Uncle Rico's Clan]

My dad's side of the family has connections to St. Louis, so my brothers and I were brought up life-long Cardinals fans here in Montana. I must say that this is one of those kick to gut situations. Pujols always talked about how he wanted to be a life-long Cardinal, and how winning was always his goal, and money seemed to be a secondary thing. Then he chooses money over the possibility of being in the upper most of legendary status. I know the Angels are a well run team, who have the opportunity to contend, but it still feels like he sold out St. Louis. From the business, and winning stand point I feel he should have known that taking less money could have put him in a better position to win more World Series, since the Cards would have been able to build a team around him. In the long run, I think its better the Cardinals backed off, and didn't throw all the money in the world at him. Right now this feels like one of those situations where your really hot, awesome girlfriend leaves you for the dude with the sweet car. I hope the Cardinals go out and make some good decisions, hopefully resign Furcal, then build around Yadi, Carps, Freese and Wainwright. Get some young talent and look to the future. Like I said, this one hurts, but being a Cardinals fan its easier knowing that the franchise is one of the best run in all of sports, and there is usually someone around thinking clearly and looking out for whats best. If anyone is still reading this, sorry it was so long, I just needed somewhere to vent a little. Hopefully it didn't come off as sour Grapes. Go Griz, and Go Cards.

[AppAlum2003]

My dad's side of the family has connections to St. Louis, so my brothers and I were brought up life-long Cardinals fans here in Montana. I must say that this is one of those kick to gut situations. Pujols always talked about how he wanted to be a life-long Cardinal, and how winning was always his goal, and money seemed to be a secondary thing. Then he chooses money over the possibility of being in the upper most of legendary status. I know the Angels are a well run team, who have the opportunity to contend, but it still feels like he sold out St. Louis. From the business, and winning stand point I feel he should have known that taking less money could have put him in a better position to win more World Series, since the Cards would have been able to build a team around him. In the long run, I think its better the Cardinals backed off, and didn't throw all the money in the world at him. Right now this feels like one of those situations where your really hot, awesome girlfriend leaves you for the dude with the sweet car. I hope the Cardinals go out and make some good decisions, hopefully resign Furcal, then build around Yadi, Carps, Freese and Wainwright. Get some young talent and look to the future. Like I said, this one hurts, but being a Cardinals fan its easier knowing that the franchise is one of the best run in all of sports, and there is usually someone around thinking clearly and looking out for whats best. If anyone is still reading this, sorry it was so long, I just needed somewhere to vent a little. Hopefully it didn't come off as sour Grapes. Go Griz, and Go Cards.

He's already won two titles and will go down as a GOAT. Now he's getting paid.

BTW, it's about time something bad happened to the Cardinals. I'm tired of my Chicago teams getting all of the bad luck.

[Cleets]

My dad's side of the family has connections to St. Louis, so my brothers and I were brought up life-long Cardinals fans here in Montana. I must say that this is one of those kick to gut situations. Pujols always talked about how he wanted to be a life-long Cardinal, and how winning was always his goal, and money seemed to be a secondary thing. Then he chooses money over the possibility of being in the upper most of legendary status. I know the Angels are a well run team, who have the opportunity to contend, but it still feels like he sold out St. Louis. From the business, and winning stand point I feel he should have known that taking less money could have put him in a better position to win more World Series, since the Cards would have been able to build a team around him. In the long run, I think its better the Cardinals backed off, and didn't throw all the money in the world at him. Right now this feels like one of those situations where your really hot, awesome girlfriend leaves you for the dude with the sweet car. I hope the Cardinals go out and make some good decisions, hopefully resign Furcal, then build around Yadi, Carps, Freese and Wainwright. Get some young talent and look to the future. Like I said, this one hurts, but being a Cardinals fan its easier knowing that the franchise is one of the best run in all of sports, and there is usually someone around thinking clearly and looking out for whats best. If anyone is still reading this, sorry it was so long, I just needed somewhere to vent a little. Hopefully it didn't come off as sour Grapes. Go Griz, and Go Cards.

Went through this in Seattle with Alex Rodriguez
He came up through the system
They were building a team around him
Blah Blah Blah... Love trust loyalty Blah Blah blah

Ultimately: It's about the MONEY
Teams know this / Agents know this / Fans pray it isn't true

[Uncle Rico's Clan]

Went through this in Seattle with Alex Rodriguez
He came up through the system
They were building a team around him
Blah Blah Blah... Love trust loyalty Blah Blah blah

Ultimately: It's about the MONEY
Teams know this / Agents know this / Fans pray it isn't true

I agree, its just too bad when it happens. The city of St. Louis loved that guy.

[darell1976]

Went through this in Seattle with Alex Rodriguez
He came up through the system
They were building a team around him
Blah Blah Blah... Love trust loyalty Blah Blah blah

Ultimately: It's about the MONEY
Teams know this / Agents know this / Fans pray it isn't true

Just like how Jim Thome wanted to be a loyal Cleveland Indian and stay there for life....didn't take him long to board the plane to Chicago. Players play for $$$ not loyalty to the city. Just look at football its rare to find a player that plays his whole career in one city. (Thank you Dan Marino!!).

[PaladinFan]

I can understand frustration, but I don't see why be angry at Pujols. He's been the best ballplayer on the planet for most of the last ten years, and led your team to two worlds championships. Cardinals front office has been well aware this day was coming, so it is not as though this leaves the Cards out in the cold. They still have a good team...just not as good.

[PaladinFan]

Just like how Jim Thome wanted to be a loyal Cleveland Indian and stay there for life....didn't take him long to board the plane to Chicago. Players play for $$$ not loyalty to the city. Just look at football its rare to find a player that plays his whole career in one city. (Thank you Dan Marino!!).

Eh, it still exists. Chipper Jones has played in Atlanta for 18 (I think) seasons. John Smoltz turned down 20m or so extra from the Yankees to stay with the Braves. So, loyalty is not dead, but it isn't really thiriving.

I don't bregrudge players getting paid. For most of these guys, all of the money they will ever make they have to earn in their 20s. Take Texieria two years ago. That was likely the first and last big pay day of his entire career. It's a lot of money, to be sure, but he won't be able to play baseball when he's 55 like the rest of us can do our jobs. I don't begrudge them getting what they can get.

[AppAlum2003]

Went through this in Seattle with Alex Rodriguez
He came up through the system
They were building a team around him
Blah Blah Blah... Love trust loyalty Blah Blah blah

Ultimately: It's about the MONEY
Teams know this / Agents know this / Fans pray it isn't true

A little different. ARod left as soon as he could because he was dying to get more exposure for his other endeavors. He's a celebrity first and baseball player second. But I won't get started on that.

As much as I hate Pooh-Holes and the Cardinals (Cubs fan) at least he won two titles for them. I think if they don't win it all last year he probably signs another contract with the Cards.

Do players care more about the money than the games nowadays? Yeah, most of them. The smart ones realize that if they can create a legacy in their city, they can make a living for the rest of their lives after baseball. Right now, if Ryne Sandberg was showing up somewhere for an autograph signing, I'd pay anything under three digits to go.

[darell1976]

Eh, it still exists. Chipper Jones has played in Atlanta for 18 (I think) seasons. John Smoltz turned down 20m or so extra from the Yankees to stay with the Braves. So, loyalty is not dead, but it isn't really thiriving.

I don't bregrudge players getting paid. For most of these guys, all of the money they will ever make they have to earn in their 20s. Take Texieria two years ago. That was likely the first and last big pay day of his entire career. It's a lot of money, to be sure, but he won't be able to play baseball when he's 55 like the rest of us can do our jobs. I don't begrudge them getting what they can get.

Wow...I didn't know he was still playing. Good for him he showed total loyalty.

[TheValleyRaider]

Pujols is a big piece to add for the Angels in the AL, but CJ Wilson might be the more important move. Adds a very good #3 to their rotation while removing him from the staff of a division rival. Angels easily in the mix with Texas, New York, Tampa and Boston

Prince Fielder is most likely the next big piece to move (figuratively and literally)

[HailSzczur]

I don't bregrudge players getting paid. For most of these guys, all of the money they will ever make they have to earn in their 20s. Take Texieria two years ago. That was likely the first and last big pay day of his entire career. It's a lot of money, to be sure, but he won't be able to play baseball when he's 55 like the rest of us can do our jobs. I don't begrudge them getting what they can get.

I don't know about anyone else here, but if people are offering me absurd amounts of money. Loyalty is great and all when you talk about old players playing their whole career with one team, but there wasn't such a gap between what teams were willing to pay you.

[PaladinFan]

Wow...I didn't know he was still playing. Good for him he showed total loyalty.

My grandmother named her dog "Chipper" when Jones was the big shot rookie debuting with the Braves. That dog just died at 17 years old.

[dgtw]

I agree, its just too bad when it happens. The city of St. Louis loved that guy.

You don't think Stan Musial would have left if he could?

[MSUDuo]

I can understand frustration, but I don't see why be angry at Pujols. He's been the best ballplayer on the planet for most of the last ten years, and led your team to two worlds championships. Cardinals front office has been well aware this day was coming, so it is not as though this leaves the Cards out in the cold. They still have a good team...just not as good.


This. Not mad one bit at Pujols.

I've been a Cardinals fan all my life and I'd be hard pressed not to take the money. He can't play forever. He was so underpaid in baseball terms it was pathetic. I say good for him and will continue to follow him and the Angels this year

To think that the Cardinals won't contend for a while is a joke. Behind the Yankees, the Cardinals are baseball. Pure and simple. We still have a good lineup and will have a better rotation this year. Still have some money we can use and have some great talent in the minors. Plus we play in the NL Central. There isn't a weaker division in MLB

[daneboy]

Albert, as life long Cardinal fan, I appreciate all that you did for the Cards. Now, that you have felt it best to move on...I wish you well in the future. For me, I will remain a loyal Cardinal fan and will continue to root for them. I will also root for their first baseman as I have for all of them that I remember....Bill White, Orlando Cepeda, Keith Hernandez, Mark Mcguire, Jack Clark and all the rest...I think the point is, life will go on for the Cards and adjustments will be made, and you will not be a part of it...so be it...