BP: When do the Cards trade Pujols?
"A new front office faces the challenge of a team with one star and one burgeoning one, and little else around which to build. It could be a few years before the Cards contend again, which inspires the question: when does Albert Pujols become a piece to be moved?" This from BP yesterday.
Seems there has been precious little said on this board about the topic. Albert is a hero and they will retire his number at Busch but realistically isn't trading him now for an upgraded system make sense?
- Declining production last year with MV3 a distant memory made Albert seem a bit more human
- Chronically bad feet -- does anyone think this will ever get better. No, it will get worse.
- Likely to miss half a season when his elbow finally goes.
- Cards at least two-three years from being a serious contender.
- Market is paying up for stars right now. Albert could bring 2-3 young major league players and a couple prospects or a bunch of prospects. Pujols for David Freese II in 5 years sounds unappetizing.
- Reasonable contract for one of the top 5 in baseball.
- Everyone says Albert is a good baserunner --but it seems to me he runs into a lot of outs. That's my personal pet peeve and certainly not a reason to trade him, just saying.
- Josh Phelps -- need I say more.
- Cash. Nice way for the owners to line their pockets (let's not forget, they aren't in this for altrusim).
- Mo is exactly the kind of temporary GM who can make this trade. He'll disappear into obscurity with the epitaph -- "he traded Pujols". A big name GM could never do it.
I'm a win now guy and Albert is a winner, but if we really are going to rebuild shouldn't we go "all-in".
Thoughts?
0 recs |
54 comments
Comments
I wouldn't consider
a 100M budget team as "rebuilding". It seems to me that this is a word the organization don't want to hear, so to trade Pujols for rebuiding is not considered.
Me, I would not do it, I would instead let him rest more and undergo surgery if needed. I believe that Albert does not have anything really bad, so an off year should be enough to recover and keep on producing for at least 6-8 more years at a big level.
GO CARDS!!!
by SuperSeve on Feb 12, 2008 5:02 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not a chance
Trading Albert, if he wants us to like JEd did, for David Freese II at the end of a HOF career after a few MVPs and maybe another WS title is Ok by me. Why so down on David Freese anyway, he could be a good player and hasn't even swung a bat for us yet.
by That's a Winner on Feb 12, 2008 8:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Can't tell if you are joking
As far as the Santana deal goes, I think the consensus is that the Twins waited around too long and ended up shooting themselves in the foot -- the Yankees and BoSox had better offers on the table but the Twins tried to play them against each other trying to fleece one of the teams. I do agree with your general point though: unless you are guaranteed to get a couple future stars, it is very hard to get equal value for someone like Albert or A-Rod. But any time you trade a player away it is a gamble; the stakes are just higher with big time talent.
by Ray Lankford on Feb 12, 2008 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
if they could trade wainwright on terms
trading pujols ---- that's in a different category. wainwright is a valuable player, but he ain't no pujols.
i think BP's looking ahead to 2010, which isn't that far off (only 2 years). pujols will be entering his walk year, and BP thinks the cards will still be in rebuiding mode. maybe they will be, but even if that's the case i can't see them letting pujols walk --- especially if the current owners are still in place.
by lboros on Feb 12, 2008 10:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A-Rod Trade
So anyway, thats how that played out.
One other thing...never trade Albert!
by fatbellyjefferson on Feb 12, 2008 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The one...
GO CARDS!!!
by SuperSeve on Feb 12, 2008 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Faggeddabouddit...
Fans don't buy tickets to watch the farm system; you build around Pujols, you don't deal him.
by The Ol Goaler on Feb 12, 2008 10:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
AMEN!
by RosevilleRedbird on Feb 12, 2008 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What would they...
And unfortunately you cannnot tear down Busch III brick by brick. It is made up of pre-fabricated concrete slabs bolted to the metal frame. It only looks like brick. I hear there is a sale on sledgehammers...
by swmrnbk on Feb 12, 2008 10:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
My opinion
IMO, the answer to the question lies in when the Cardinals think Albert will be less valuable to them than his future cost. There are many more considerations than the simple cost of on-field performance also. A player the likes of Pujols is worth a mint in marketing, mechandising, brings in tons of fans, sells season tickets, etc.
So, I don't think the time to trade Albert is anytime soon. I think there will come a time when extension is discussed. The Cardinals would be wise to do this sometime at the end of next year, IMO. Evaluate what direction Albert is headed. If Albert cannot agree to a reasonable contract early on...then move him while his years on his contract make him so valuable.
Teams would need to get involved in 3 ways to gather enough talent to make a trade of Pujols possible. I don't think any team that could afford Pujols would have enough in their farm to net him.
by RedbirdRay on Feb 12, 2008 10:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Albert Trade
by cardzfan24 on Feb 12, 2008 10:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dodger Trade
by cardzfan24 on Feb 12, 2008 10:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
You'd have to consider that, but...
by rrvwmr on Feb 12, 2008 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And
by Beware the Molinas on Feb 12, 2008 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Angel Trade
by cardzfan24 on Feb 12, 2008 10:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
robbery
some people think it would be easier to rebuild by trading pujols. i think it would be easier to rebuild by keeping him.
by dmb60614 on Feb 12, 2008 10:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yankee Trade
by cardzfan24 on Feb 12, 2008 11:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
it would be a very hard thing to do
The team can't trade the player that could possibly be the best ever to where the uniform. At least not at this stage in his career, he is only 28. Yes, he has had injuries, but as SuperSeve let him rest more. If the team is in the shitter, there won't be such a demand for him to play every inning of every game. FSN and other places have said he has a positive attitude about this "rebuilding". I think he realizes this is not new york or boston, where we can spend 170 million every year and win.
by elirock83 on Feb 12, 2008 11:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Postive Outlook,
by gibbyfan on Feb 12, 2008 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the idea of albert
by FutureMan on Feb 12, 2008 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
agree
Even if it made sense to do, I would have to go away from baseball for a while if this happened.
by SleepyCA on Feb 12, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Same here
What's to say the Cardinals don't approach him about an extension while time is still left on the contract?
by Hardcore Legend on Feb 12, 2008 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
thanks.....
by cardschinmusic on Feb 13, 2008 5:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Come on
by cardzfan24 on Feb 13, 2008 8:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It is Albert Pujols....
As for El Hombre' I hope we can get him fixed up and build around him.
by cardschinmusic on Feb 14, 2008 4:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Again, thanks for restoring order
by cardzfan24 on Feb 14, 2008 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thx to all........
Albert the Elephant WAS traded for peanuts by Mo the trainer at the ST Lou Zoo when he became a problem, I didnt realize that was common knowledge however.
by cardschinmusic on Feb 15, 2008 4:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Hot Stove season
by cardschinmusic on Feb 15, 2008 4:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hot Stove
by cardzfan24 on Feb 15, 2008 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And.....
You also saw young players get reupped, guys like James Shields, Troy Tulowitski, Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, Dontrelle, etc. I am sure I'm forgetting a ton.
Plus, you have GMs giving young guys a chance to play, at least hopefully. Players like Evan Longoria, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Homer Bailey, Joba Chamberlin, Clay Bucholz, on and on, will get the opportunity to be big time contributors on teams that will or might contend.
Yeah, that's a burning hot stove. Glad to have you on board.
by cardzfan24 on Feb 15, 2008 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok...
In response to cardzfan24's prospective trades above:
Florida -- I'd ask for Hanley, Uggla, and their best two pitching prospects at the AA level or higher. Hermida just doesn't solve any problems and he hasn't lived up to his potential.
LA Dodgers -- That trade seems plausible, although they seem to have soured on Laroche and Hu is a good but not great player. That trade would seem to be nearly fair if Kershaw ends up being the stud he's been projected to be.
LA Angels -- There is no way that is enough. I'm not bullish on anyone in the Weaver family, and Jered's mechanics are terrible. Brandon Wood is the next Dallas McPherson, Kendrick is a solid player, and I'm guessing you mean Nick Adenhart as the pitching prospect. That deal isn't nearly as good as what the Dodgers would be offering.
NYY -- If they were going to trade him, I'd so much rather deal with Hank than anyone else because he'll overpay. You're trading them the best bat in the game, so I think you ask for Hughes, Chamberlain, Cano, Tabata and another prospect and see if he bites. I would hate to see Pujols in pinstripes, but for that kind of talent influx I'd say you almost have to make that deal. Hughes, Chamberlain, WW, and Carpy in the same rotation in 2009 -- that's just sick. Don't think that Hank couldn't be talked into this deal either -- he's just itching to put his stamp on the ballclub, the whiny little brat, he's stupid enough to pull the trigger.
by fourstick on Feb 12, 2008 12:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sure
As far as Hermida, yeah he's a good player. He put up a .900+ OPS in the second half last year. He's a good RF option. He would immediately become our best OF and only Rasmus would project to be better than him at some point.
That Dodger offer is my favorite.
by cardzfan24 on Feb 12, 2008 12:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
totally
by fourstick on Feb 12, 2008 9:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
NYY
by The Duke on Feb 12, 2008 10:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Only way it should be considered...
by Hollywood15 on Feb 12, 2008 12:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Could you imagine
Manny, Ortiz, and Pujols in the same lineup? ugh. And they have a few others that aren't gonna hurt either.
by JShell73 on Feb 12, 2008 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Pujols
But something else I want to pose to the community. How many believe he is actually 28? I know there were a lot of whispers when he came up that he may be older than listed, but haven't heard much about it since then. He's also never been traded or hit free agency where something like that would be revealed like it was for Soriano.
by fltfire on Feb 12, 2008 1:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
he went to Fort Osage High School
If he is lying, it means:
- his family set it up from a very early age; given that he was raised by his grandmother, I'm skeptical
- he wasted at least 3 years of his potential pro career playing high school/community college ball. Why would he do that?
Anyway, I don't want to believe he is lying though, and so I won't. this is funny, though.
by SleepyCA on Feb 12, 2008 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That IS funny
by That's a Winner on Feb 12, 2008 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it has been highly scrutinized before
the cards looked at his records before signing him to his $100MM contract and said they were satisfied.
the government looked at his records when he became a citizen and were satisfied (this coming after 9/11 when all the other players were busted).
the reason these players lie is to sign a pro contract. there was less incentive for pujols to lie because he was subject to the draft.
and the final, non scientific reason why i dont worry too much about it...albert and i are the same age and have the same hair problem. he looks old. some people just do. i knew a kid in high school that would shave in the morning and have a five o'clock shadow by noon. i would have guessed he was at least 25 if i hadnt gone to kindergarten with him.
by dmb60614 on Feb 12, 2008 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
la russa
by moboiler on Feb 12, 2008 2:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Let's send Musial to Philadelphia for Ashburn!
Even if we are awful for 10 years, Pujols should stay. I'd rather watch Pujols gut out 6 30 HR seasons than watch the organization turn into the Florida Marlins.
by Hardcore Legend on Feb 12, 2008 2:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not now, if ever
by roarke on Feb 12, 2008 2:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Pujols
by BigdJC on Feb 12, 2008 2:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He loves playing here....
I love his style as a fellow first basemen but there are some things that just have to be done. We will get a bounty for him when we trade him and first base isn't really a hard position to fill. You can always find someone to play the position, you gotta find guys who are good that play positions that are harder to find great players at, such as shortstop, and starting pitcher.
Filling First won't be nearly as hard, just find someone who can hit great and play him at first, it's not a hard position to play. Plus, we can get someone who doesn't scare me every time a play at first is made because it appears he takes his foot off the bag too soon.
by Ibeatanorexia06 on Feb 12, 2008 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Firstly, about DeWallet
I'd rather DeWitt let Pujols walk than to trade him. It's outrageous to think that people actually support this idea. If Pujols' walks, it is on him should a competitive offer be made, to leave the team, city, fanbase. If DeWitt trades Pujols, there will be pitchforks and torches gathering at Lake DeWitt.
by Hardcore Legend on Feb 12, 2008 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
rapid decline
Look how quickly Rolen lost it (granted a much more serious injury - damn you choi). We may look back at this as Albert's peak.
Having said that, Albert in decline is still pretty good.
I'm a win now guy, but objectively, the team could seriously upgrade with what they could get for Albert. Everyone here thinks this team is out of it for min two more years. So, at that point he's 30 and coming to the end of a big contract with possibly flat to lesser numbers.
A team at the cusp might pay up big time for what he can bring them.
by The Duke on Feb 12, 2008 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My Ideas
-Red Sox for Lester, Buchholz, Pedroia, Ellsbury, and the Freedom Trail
-Dodgers for LaRoche, Loney, Kemp, Kershaw, Martin, and 50,000,000 Dodger Dogs.
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 12, 2008 6:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And!!
by cardschinmusic on Feb 14, 2008 4:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sins of the Father?
Bill DeWitt Sr. went through a period in which he focused on the Reds farm system (which involved drafting Bench) but set the franchise back 5 years by trading 30 year old Frank Robinson to Baltimore.
I hope Junior has learned from these mistakes.
by Hardcore Legend on Feb 12, 2008 8:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
From a new diary
Posted on Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:51:04 PM CDT
I was thinking today, if the cardinals are in a rebuilding stage why not trade Albert(i love albert though still) and throw in chris carpenter and get a ton of young talent in return just like the marlins did. If we are in a rebuilding stage why not just get into a situation where we can fill our minor league system i know alberts a big big part of the orginization but even albert cant carry a whole team. also if we did get a trade going what kind of proposals do you think we would get from teams needing a first baseman and a starter like the yankees or the angels even though they have a descent rotation.
by azruavatar on Feb 12, 2008 11:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Won't happen...
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Feb 13, 2008 2:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

by 
















