Albert Pujols

Penning10 · 02-19-2004, 03:37 AM

Link

NEW YORK (AP) -- Slugger Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals avoided arbitration in a big way, agreeing on a $100 million, seven-year contract Wednesday, a source told The Associated Press.

Pujols was scheduled for a hearing Friday -- he was asking for a $10.5 million salary and the team offered $7 million. Instead, the sides settled, according to the source, who was familiar with the negotiations and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

An option for an eighth year could make the contract worth $111 million. The deal was contingent on Pujols taking a physical.

At 24, Pujols led the major leagues in hitting at .359 last year. He hit 43 home runs with 124 RBIs and topped the majors with 51 doubles.

Pujols finished second behind Barry Bonds in voting for the NL MVP award. He made $950,000 last year.

St. Louis made Pujols the ninth baseball player to receive a $100 million contract, the first since Jason Giambi's $120 million, seven-year agreement with the New York Yankees in December 2001.

Pujols has played only three full seasons, making him the fastest player to receive a $100 million contract. Colorado's Todd Helton signed a $141.5 million, nine-year extension in March 2001 after three-plus seasons in the big leagues.

"He called me to give me the good news early in the morning," his aunt, Miriam Pujols, told The Associated Press in the Dominican Republic.

In three seasons, Pujols is hitting .334 with 114 homers and 381 RBIs.

Pujols played a lot in left field last season and also spent time at first base. He is likely to move to first base full-time this season after Tino Martinez was traded to Tampa Bay.

The Cardinals open spring training Friday at their camp in Jupiter, Fla.

Last month, Pujols said he wanted a long-term contract from the Cardinals. Asked whether he would give the team a break in price, he said no.

"What do you mean?" Pujols said during the Cardinals' annual winter fanfest. "This is business. There's no break here.

"You try to get what you deserve and that's what I want. I've taken care of my business in the field the last three years and hopefully I get treated respectfully, that's all I ask for."

Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Mavrik · 02-19-2004, 06:17 PM

Wow. Too bad. I guess the Yanks can't sign him now.

Smizzy · 02-19-2004, 06:17 PM

Green Jets & Ham · 02-19-2004, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mavrik@Feb 19 2004, 06:17 PM
Wow. Too bad. I guess the Yanks can't sign him now.

JonEJet · 02-19-2004, 10:07 PM

You know if Boston tries to trade for him...THe Big STEIN will trump The Sawx :lol:

mbn007 · 02-20-2004, 08:08 AM

Good for him. He's had a super start to his career. Now, if his age is accurate, he could be the guy to challenge for the all time HR record some 15 years down the road.

(I understand that Soriano is really 28, not 26. So the Yanks traded a 28 year old for another 28 year old, who is the reigning MVP. Not bad

)

02-20-2004, 08:46 AM

This is crazy. 100 million dollars. This league needs a cap.

If all the small market teams are going to take the revenue sharing money and poor it into signing talent, how will the Yankees ever compete?

Really though good for St. Louis. That is the best baseball town in the country.

Riggins44 · 02-23-2004, 04:47 PM

Anybody else think Pujols is really not only 24? Just the vide I get, he's got to be a bit older than that.

I guess, it really doesn't matter, anyway, as long as he hits like he does.

mbn007 · 02-24-2004, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maxman@Feb 20 2004, 09:46 AM
This is crazy. 100 million dollars. This league needs a cap.

If all the small market teams are going to take the revenue sharing money and poor it into signing talent, how will the Yankees ever compete?

Really though good for St. Louis. That is the best baseball town in the country.

I travelled ther a bit over the years on business. Always tried to take in a ball game or 2. Great, knowledgeable fans, very passionate, but incrediably friendly. Great place to watch a game. All they talk about in hotel lobbies and bars are the Cards.

Really a must visit place to get a prespective on other cities and their relationship with their team. I was there in the 1980's with the speedy lineup (and Tommy Herr

) and again in the more recent past with the Mcguire thing, and again when Puljois was a rookie. The town never changed - just great.

02-25-2004, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mbn007+Feb 24 2004, 02:56 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (mbn007 @ Feb 24 2004, 02:56 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--Maxman@Feb 20 2004, 09:46 AM
This is crazy. 100 million dollars. This league needs a cap.

If all the small market teams are going to take the revenue sharing money and poor it into signing talent, how will the Yankees ever compete?

Really though good for St. Louis. That is the best baseball town in the country.

I travelled ther a bit over the years on business. Always tried to take in a ball game or 2. Great, knowledgeable fans, very passionate, but incrediably friendly. Great place to watch a game. All they talk about in hotel lobbies and bars are the Cards.

Really a must visit place to get a prespective on other cities and their relationship with their team. I was there in the 1980's with the speedy lineup (and Tommy Herr

) and again in the more recent past with the Mcguire thing, and again when Puljois was a rookie. The town never changed - just great. [/b][/quote]
I agree 100%. That is the best part of business travel...going to see other ball parks.

St. Louis loves their baseball.

I have never been to Wrigley...that is on the to do list. A day game at Wrigley.

02-19-2004, 03:37 AM	#1
Penning10 All League Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 558	Link NEW YORK (AP) -- Slugger Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals avoided arbitration in a big way, agreeing on a $100 million, seven-year contract Wednesday, a source told The Associated Press. Pujols was scheduled for a hearing Friday -- he was asking for a $10.5 million salary and the team offered $7 million. Instead, the sides settled, according to the source, who was familiar with the negotiations and spoke on the condition of anonymity. An option for an eighth year could make the contract worth $111 million. The deal was contingent on Pujols taking a physical. At 24, Pujols led the major leagues in hitting at .359 last year. He hit 43 home runs with 124 RBIs and topped the majors with 51 doubles. Pujols finished second behind Barry Bonds in voting for the NL MVP award. He made $950,000 last year. St. Louis made Pujols the ninth baseball player to receive a $100 million contract, the first since Jason Giambi's $120 million, seven-year agreement with the New York Yankees in December 2001. Pujols has played only three full seasons, making him the fastest player to receive a $100 million contract. Colorado's Todd Helton signed a $141.5 million, nine-year extension in March 2001 after three-plus seasons in the big leagues. "He called me to give me the good news early in the morning," his aunt, Miriam Pujols, told The Associated Press in the Dominican Republic. In three seasons, Pujols is hitting .334 with 114 homers and 381 RBIs. Pujols played a lot in left field last season and also spent time at first base. He is likely to move to first base full-time this season after Tino Martinez was traded to Tampa Bay. The Cardinals open spring training Friday at their camp in Jupiter, Fla. Last month, Pujols said he wanted a long-term contract from the Cardinals. Asked whether he would give the team a break in price, he said no. "What do you mean?" Pujols said during the Cardinals' annual winter fanfest. "This is business. There's no break here. "You try to get what you deserve and that's what I want. I've taken care of my business in the field the last three years and hopefully I get treated respectfully, that's all I ask for." Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

02-19-2004, 06:17 PM	#2
Mavrik All Pro Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 1,753	Wow. Too bad. I guess the Yanks can't sign him now.

02-19-2004, 06:17 PM	#3
Smizzy Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 10,727

02-19-2004, 10:07 PM	#5
JonEJet Hall Of Fame Charter JI Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 11,369	You know if Boston tries to trade for him...THe Big STEIN will trump The Sawx :lol:

02-20-2004, 08:08 AM	#6
mbn007 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 8,587	Good for him. He's had a super start to his career. Now, if his age is accurate, he could be the guy to challenge for the all time HR record some 15 years down the road. (I understand that Soriano is really 28, not 26. So the Yanks traded a 28 year old for another 28 year old, who is the reigning MVP. Not bad )

02-20-2004, 08:46 AM	#7
Maxman Edit Status Guest Posts: n/a	This is crazy. 100 million dollars. This league needs a cap. If all the small market teams are going to take the revenue sharing money and poor it into signing talent, how will the Yankees ever compete? Really though good for St. Louis. That is the best baseball town in the country.

02-23-2004, 04:47 PM	#8
Riggins44 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,139	Anybody else think Pujols is really not only 24? Just the vide I get, he's got to be a bit older than that. I guess, it really doesn't matter, anyway, as long as he hits like he does.