Few suitors for Pujols, Fielder

Owners coming to their senses?

Definitely owners coming to their senses. Good for them - and the game.

There've only been two contracts of $200 million or more. One bankrupted a team while the other was foolishly signed by the owner over the objections of the GM. The same player got two stupid contracts from two different teams.

Pujols will sign for the Cardinals original offer. Fielder will sign for less.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 10:31 AM ET  12.04 by hbomb

Owners coming to their senses?

I don't think so. It is just that the Yanks, Red Sox and Phillies have already invested substantially at 1b. It is hard for the agents to drive up the price.

8 years????

In eight years Pujols will be a broken down shell of his former PED abusing self and Prince Fielder will weigh about 500lbs and be living in Japan, training to be a Sumo Wrestler

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:01 AM ET  12.04 by Hatrunner

I don't think so. It is just that the Yanks, Red Sox and Phillies have already invested substantially at 1b. It is hard for the agents to drive up the price.

That about sums it up. Pujols and Fielder are two competing superstars hitting free agency at the same time in a depressed market. The big market teams are happy with their choices, and so aren't going to drive the price up. The owners know it, and aren't going to bid against themselves.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 10:48 AM ET  12.04 by CardsFan2

There've only been two contracts of $200 million or more. One bankrupted a team while the other was foolishly signed by the owner over the objections of the GM. The same player got two stupid contracts from two different teams.Pujols will sign for the Cardinals original offer. Fielder will sign for less.

Looks like the Cards submitted their offer too soon. They'll be bidding against themselves

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:57 AM ET  12.04 by brotha68

You think owners are affected greatly by player's salaries?Bill Dewitt, Jr. (Cardinals owner) has a net worth of $1 billion from Investment banking, TD Ameritrade brokerage, and Incapital LLC.Is a contract for $200 mil/8 yrs. going to stress his bank account?Especially when you consider the return he gets on that investment via production, marketing, T.V. revenue, and merchandise sales?

It's not so much about this contract. It's more about the next contracts. The next guy will come along demanding outrageous sums/years. Ownership has to put a foot down somewhere. The earlier the better to keep control.

The Cardinals best bet would be to pull their current offer off the table and resubmit a new one at 5 years 125 million. I realize that's not how things are done but I would enjoy seeing it happen. Pujols would decline, and It would be one way of freeing themselves of that massive debt

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 11:28 AM ET  12.04 by Flea Biscuit

Looks like the Cards submitted their offer too soon. They'll be bidding against themselves

As long as the bid goes south instead of north, I'm happy