Pujols' image taking a costly hit

I think he will be ok with it. He only has $25 million a year to repair his damage on it. Plus all of the great commercial deals in southern CA.

Seriously, how many of us can live on only 198 million guaranteed dollars over 9 years? It's would have been a struggle that one man should not have to face.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:13 AM ET  12.09 by Schad - Notorious Deadbeat

Seriously, how many of us can live on only 198 million guaranteed dollars over 9 years? It's would have been a struggle that one man should not have to face.

He can always sell oranges on the freeway to make ends meet.

Sporting News, the bastion of baseball, takes Pujols to task for taking more money.

Can't wait for Costas to pile on...

You would think Cardinal fans would be happy he got away. Now some other team is stuck with his declining years

The Cardinals dodged a bullet.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:19 AM ET  12.09 by Otis B. Driftwood

Sporting News, the bastion of baseball, takes Pujols to task for taking more money. Can't wait for Costas to pile on...

I'm the pious writers at SN would not accept and offer from SI for 10x their current salaries. Perish the thought.

Hey St. Louis, if you want to see how this movie ends, turn your attention to 3rd base in the Bronx.

He won 2 World Series in St. Louis, was looking at playing for a new manager and had nothing left to prove or do except to cash in. Can't blame him in the least.

Rationally, yes I know that the Cards should/would/could not re-sign him at that money and time, but him leaving the Cards still stings.

This is garbage.

I've heard that the Cardinals offered him about $195m. He signed for $254m. That's a 30% difference.

Show me a guy who says he wouldn't leave his employer for another that would pay him 30% more to do the same job, and I'll show you a liar.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 08:33 AM ET  12.09 by titansguySAT

Rationally, yes I know that the Cards should/would/could not re-sign him at that money and time, but him leaving the Cards still stings.

I can understand that.

Similar to when Sabathia left the Indians, I didn't blame him for doing so, and I didn't blame the Indians for letting him go, but it still sucks.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:21 AM ET  12.09 by Flea Biscuit

You would think Cardinal fans would be happy he got away. Now some other team is stuck with his declining years

Exactly. And at that price I think most Cardinals fans are. They're regarded as the best baseball fans, perhaps they're also the smartest.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 08:24 AM ET  12.09 by Kenny_Powers

The Cardinals dodged a bullet.

Indeed they did. Smart organization.

Can't blame him for leaving though he wouldn't have gone broke staying with St. Louis for 200 mil. The big difference to me is that if he stayed in St. Louis he wouldn't have had to live up to the hype of the big contract because he already did, but with a new team he will always be under the microscope as to whether he is really worth it or not, especially torward the end of the contract.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 08:35 AM ET  12.09 by Slinkton Sr.

This is garbage. I've heard that the Cardinals offered him about $195m. He signed for $254m. That's a 30% difference.Show me a guy who says he wouldn't leave his employer for another that would pay him 30% more to do the same job, and I'll show you a liar.

All true. I don't blame Pujols for leaving though I would add at $200 mio, if he truly preferred living and working in St. Louis I can't see leaving. I wouldn't. But that's me.

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET  12.09 by trooper707

Indeed they did. Smart organization.

Cards management was probably breathing a huge sigh of relief when they found out AP was signing with the Angels.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 08:42 AM ET  12.09 by trooper707

if he truly preferred living and working in St. Louis I can't see leaving.

Therein lies the rub. It's the "if."

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 08:50 AM ET  12.09 by THE BISHOP!

Cards management was probably breathing a huge sigh of relief when they found out AP was signing with the Angels.

I agree. As the numbers started escalating I kept waiting for the Cardinals to announce we love Albert and everything he's done for St. Louis and we wish him all the best in his future life. I suppose by never really changing their original offer that's what they did.

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 08:55 AM ET  12.09 by Slinkton Sr.

Therein lies the rub. It's the "if."

Yup, as you say, can't blame him, it's a lot of dough. But somewhere I would think quality of life, family preference, etc. might come into play. Perhaps he simply wanted to move.

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 08:57 AM ET  12.09 by trooper707

I agree. As the numbers started escalating I kept waiting for the Cardinals to announce we love Albert and everything he's done for St. Louis and we wish him all the best in his future life. I suppose by never really changing their original offer that's what they did.

...and their organization comes out looking all the better by sticking to that stance.