MLB Baseball : Offseason 2012

[bulls23]

This is Anaheim's payback for STL taking the Rams...

All my STL friends are just spewing venom at Albert on my FB page. I get it, but I don't want to see (some) Cardinal fans turn into a clone of (some) Cavs fans. Please, please, please don't let me see idiots burning Pujols jerseys in Soulard tonight on Sportscenter. Stay classy Redbirds!

The real fans will stay classy....There is no comparison between Cardinal fans and Cavs fans. Opposite ends of the spectrum. Any fool who burns Pujols garb need to shipped to LA.

[bulls23]

The NFL is the top sport in America because of gambling, with fantasy football close behind.

The NFL is the top sport in America because it's football. Fast, exciting and physical, with plenty of parity. Appeals to all ages. Baseball doesn't tick all of those boxes.

I noticed you didn't include "thought-provoking" or "strategic". I love football, but come on, don't act like no one watches or loves baseball. Baseball will always be more popular than hockey or auto racing.

[10spro]

Let's not forget the Angels have an albatross of a contract with V. Wells too, Haren's, Kazmir's, they added Wilson, a total team payroll of 150 million+ . Loyal Pujols fans wanted him to stay if not to get at least the status that C. Ripken got in BAL for his loyalty while some former fans perhaps the majority, will see him as a selloff.
AP had a bit of a let down last season but I am sure he's got a few good years left in his motor. DH will come in handy.

[pk500]

The NFL is the top sport in America because of gambling, with fantasy football close behind.

The NFL is the top sport in America because it's football. Fast, exciting and physical, with plenty of parity. Appeals to all ages. Baseball doesn't tick all of those boxes.

I noticed you didn't include "thought-provoking" or "strategic". I love football, but come on, don't act like no one watches or loves baseball. Baseball will always be more popular than hockey or auto racing.

Nice straw-man argument. The original post seemed to intimate the NFL was more popular than MLB only because of fantasy football, which is comical. That's the point my reply made.

Baseball remains popular, but its appeal has declined over the last two decades. Hardball isn't going anywhere, but it's never going to catch the NFL, trick fantasy leagues or not.

The NFL is to the United States what soccer is to England and hockey to Canada. No. 1, with a hollow-point bullet.

[XXXIV]

The NFL is to the United States what soccer is to England and hockey to Canada. No. 1, with a hollow-point bullet.

+1

[Brando70]

The difference between Pujols and LeBron is that Pujols delivered two championships.

It amazes me when sports fans forget this is a business.

Define business? (most money wins?)

All along Pujols has said he wants better players around him to help the team win a World Series. He wants to retire a Cardinal, he loves St. Louis, etc.. So I just wish players would say, "Hey, I'm taking the offer that gives me the most money". I'm fine with that.

As a non-professional athlete.. it blows my mind that 10 year/$220 contract isn't enough to keep someone where they say they want to play the rest of their career? I understand adding another $34+ million sealed the deal, but don't feed me BS.

Athletes are people too. They change their minds, they want new challenges, etc. etc. They are also competitive and that competition sometimes extends to contracts. Plus, in Pujols's case, going to the AL makes a lot of sense, as he can extend his career by being able to DH.

It's happened enough that I am surprised when people are surprised. I guess, as a Chicago fan, once Jordan played for the Wizards, I realized anyone can switch teams, at any time and for any reason, regardless of what they have said previously.

I can see not rooting for Pujols now, but the melodrama by some Cards fans is pretty ridiculous for a guy who did so much for that franchise.

[Diablo25]

The difference between Pujols and LeBron is that Pujols delivered two championships.

It amazes me when sports fans forget this is a business.

Define business? (most money wins?)

All along Pujols has said he wants better players around him to help the team win a World Series. He wants to retire a Cardinal, he loves St. Louis, etc.. So I just wish players would say, "Hey, I'm taking the offer that gives me the most money". I'm fine with that.

As a non-professional athlete.. it blows my mind that 10 year/$220 contract isn't enough to keep someone where they say they want to play the rest of their career? I understand adding another $34+ million sealed the deal, but don't feed me BS.

Athletes are people too. They change their minds, they want new challenges, etc. etc. They are also competitive and that competition sometimes extends to contracts. Plus, in Pujols's case, going to the AL makes a lot of sense, as he can extend his career by being able to DH.

It's happened enough that I am surprised when people are surprised. I guess, as a Chicago fan, once Jordan played for the Wizards, I realized anyone can switch teams, at any time and for any reason, regardless of what they have said previously.

I can see not rooting for Pujols now, but the melodrama by some Cards fans is pretty ridiculous for a guy who did so much for that franchise.

Also, don't think for one second the union wouldn't have went ape s*** if Pujols wanted to turn down the Angels deal to stay with the Cards.

[AJColossal]

Pretty good behind the scenes look at the Pujols deal.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball ... fbz0rj4jqq

[MizzouRah]

Athletes are people too. They change their minds, they want new challenges, etc. etc. They are also competitive and that competition sometimes extends to contracts. Plus, in Pujols's case, going to the AL makes a lot of sense, as he can extend his career by being able to DH.

It's happened enough that I am surprised when people are surprised. I guess, as a Chicago fan, once Jordan played for the Wizards, I realized anyone can switch teams, at any time and for any reason, regardless of what they have said previously.

I can see not rooting for Pujols now, but the melodrama by some Cards fans is pretty ridiculous for a guy who did so much for that franchise.

Fair enough.. and yes I fully agree on your last statement. I think most of it is more knee jerk reaction though.. the Cardinals will be allright and the fans will move on.

[icvu42]

As a Yankees fan, it's good to see some other team make a really bad long-term deal. I like Pujols, but 10 years seems way too long.

So if you're the Cardinals, don't you now make a hard run at Prince Fielder? He is a few years younger and would have arguably the same impact for their lineup as Pujols. I think Cards fans would be more than satisfied if they could sign Fielder as his replacement.

Rick

[Brando70]

As a Yankees fan, it's good to see some other team make a really bad long-term deal. I like Pujols, but 10 years seems way too long.

So if you're the Cardinals, don't you now make a hard run at Prince Fielder? He is a few years younger and would have arguably the same impact for their lineup as Pujols. I think Cards fans would be more than satisfied if they could sign Fielder as his replacement.

Rick

See, I think Fielder is the Soriano in this scenario. I think 10 years is too long for anyone, in any sport, where you're one injury away from being done. But Pujols has a great track record and has performed at such a high level for so long that he probably gives the Angels at least 3-4 years of offensive potency. I think he will do everything he can to prove he was worth it.

Fielder is the guy I would be concerned about, primarily because of his conditioning. I also don't think he is as disciplined a player as Pujols. He will be a big asset (no pun intended) in the short term, but I see too many red flags for a guy who wants a $200 million deal.

[bulls23]

No way I want Fielder, for all the reasons mentioned above AND he'd probably try to bring that annoying "Beast Mode" crap.

[greggsand]

youtube has about 8 different videos of idiots burning their pujols jerseys. idiots.

[MizzouRah]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/09/opinion/p ... ?hpt=hp_c2

[greggsand]

3 mins at the Albert presser & Albert already looks annoyed with the "why did leave STL??" questions. Good times..

[vinny-b]

3 mins at the Albert presser & Albert already looks annoyed with the "why did leave STL??" questions. Good times..

Pujols didn't win me over, this day. I better leave it at that

[10spro]

NL MVP R. Braun tests positive for PED.

[dbdynsty25]

Beast Mode! Dipsh*t.

[MizzouRah]

Cards sign Furcal for two years.

[Lancer]

If you have a chance to catch Studio 42 with Bob Costas this week on MLB network, make sure you watch it with Tom Seaver. It was probably one of the best baseball interviews I've seen in a long time.

[MizzouRah]

Cardinals sign Beltran to two year $25 million deal.

I believe he played in 142 games last year.. if he can stay healthy.. I'm really excited!

[Rodster]

The Cubbies cut ties with Zambrano and shipped him off to the Marlins and according to the article they are picking up his $15 million tab for 2012.

[dbdynsty25]

The Cubbies cut ties with Zambrano and shipped him off to the Marlins and according to the article they are picking up his $15 million tab for 2012.

Awesome...Braves love having him in the division. They have crushed him if late. Thanks Chicago.

[snaz16]

So the Miami zoo is relocating to the old Orange Bowl site.

[Brando70]

The Cubbies cut ties with Zambrano and shipped him off to the Marlins and according to the article they are picking up his $15 million tab for 2012.

The Cubs will be terrible this season, but at least they will be significantly less crazy.