Dreaming of Albert Pujols as a Brave (but it’s a budget killer)
There goes another home run by Albert Pujols, who'll soon be up for bidding.
It appears the St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols will become a free agent after this baseball season, which almost certainly means we are on the verge of seeing a new record contract in baseball, as well as the next magazine cover: “Albert Inc. and the Lesser 499 of the Fortune 500.”
The other day, I threw out “a guy can dream” joke about the Braves making a bid for Pujols. Should’ve known but about a dozen folks sent me emails (and other notes on Facebook or Twitter) asking if I really th0ught that would or could happen. The short answer: no.
Pujols obviously is a great player, and first base has been a black hole for the Braves since I think Joe Adcock left. (Kids: Google). The latest hope is that prospect Freddie Freeman turns into the next great thing. If that happens, the organization is set at first for a while.
But this is Albert Pujols, the best player in the game. There aren’t that many players who immediately can turn a team into a contender. He’s one of them. Imagine the Braves’ infield of the future: Pujols at first, Dan Uggla at second, anybody at short and Martin Prado at third. Add Brian McCann and Jason Heyward and you’ve got as good a lineup as this city has seen in a while.
But the issue is money. Here’s how it breaks down.
First, the good news:
– Kenshin Kawakami ($7.3 million) and Nate McLouth ($6.5 million) come off the books following this season. That’s $13.8 million right there.
Now, the rest of the news:
– Derek Lowe, the team’s highest paid player at $15 million per season. will be entering the final year of his contract in 2012. Conceivably, the team could suck it up for a year and blow the budget out. But that’s not likely to happen. Lowe would be more trade-able in the final year of his contract but finding a team to take on a $15 million player, even a solid starting pitcher, still isn’t easy.
– Chipper Jones could be done this year. Or he may not be going anywhere. His contract calls for $13 million this season, $13 million in 2012 and a club option at probably $7 million to $10 million in 2013.
– The Braves already have made a long-term commitment to Uggla ($62 million for five years) are paying Tim Hudson ($9 million) and Brian McCann ($8.667 million) through 2012. On top of that, they have to prepare for the future major paydays of Heyward and Tommy Hanson. (We’ll leave Jair Jurrjens out of this discussion for now.)
Here’s the unfortunate truth: The Braves stick to a budget (even if we never really know what that budget is). They will commit major dollars to a limited number of players. To go after a guy like Pujols — who already has rejected an eight-year contract at $25 million per season and may be seeking $30 million annually — would necessitate blowing up the rest of the roster.
Do I think the Braves would do that? No. Do I think Liberty Media would suddenly take the clamps off the budget? No. But feel free to dream.
Thoughts? Should the Braves go after Pujols at all costs?
By Jeff Schultz
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167 comments Add your comment
T-Bone
February 16th, 2011
10:58 am
Getting Pujols is a pipe dream, but Schultzie, your dollar figures do make me think that we could find somebody else for our line-up with some pop. Uggla, McCann, Heyward, Prado, Chipper (this year, maybe another?), plus an added big bat is pretty nice. Throw in the potential of all of our young pitching . . . that ain’t bad.
Braves Guy
February 16th, 2011
10:58 am
No. Not only would it be unBraves-like but would also be contributing to a system that already doesn’t favor teams like the Braves.
DHD
February 16th, 2011
10:59 am
What a waste of an article. Spring Training has started. How about some REAL insight to the Braves in Spring Training instead of playing fantasy baseball??
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 16th, 2011
11:03 am
NCBravesFan,
If the Braves aquired Pujols it is in the attempt to make you a bigger fan. It would be to generate more local interest to the stadium. The sidewalk fans are who the Braves would be targeting. They have you as a fan win,lose or draw. They would attract the bandwagon fans essentially with the signing, that is how they would see an increase in revenue.
D A DoubleU G
February 16th, 2011
11:03 am
Budget Killer?
Why don’t we ask the CEO of whoever owns the Braves these days if his annual bonus that outweighs the annual payroll of the Braves is really necessary……..
And let’s stop being the bargain shoppers and go get the big name.
Jeff Schultz
February 16th, 2011
11:03 am
Always high — Robert Fick. Entertaining guy.
Larry
February 16th, 2011
11:04 am
Jeff,
Better idea…let’s you and I split 1 million and let them spend the other 29 million on someone else to hit the little, round, white ball 350-400 feet about 40-50 times a year!
Deal?
Jeff Schultz
February 16th, 2011
11:04 am
Striker — I said “kids” Google, not you. Hah!
STRETCH
February 16th, 2011
11:05 am
30 million a year? and gas prices shooting up, food prices going up, teachers losing their jobs, everyday people losing homes and this guy is looking for that kinda money??? Wow…i usually dont care about these overpaid overrated sports figures, but come on…enough is enough guys!
And Supremet Court is sweating HGH and illegal drugs in baseball????? Seems to me they are worried about the WRONG things.
Gil In Mechanicsville
February 16th, 2011
11:05 am
The Braves could hire Billy Graham and still not improve their attendance figures. Let’s face it folks, people have become spoiled by TV coverage. their is a reason why the Marlins have a huge TV audience and a low “fannies in the seats” ration. Going to the games is just too much trouble vs sitting in the easy chair. Beer is cheaper too.
Say what you will, being politically correct and trying to revive a depressed area with a sports stadium and then failing to provide easy access to said stadium is not very forward thinking on somebody’s part.
So, as for Albert, Braves could have signed Texieria for a lot less and had nearly as good a player. Heck, they could have brought back Derrik Lee for another year for that matter.
Jeff Schultz
February 16th, 2011
11:06 am
Larry — You know what? Just to show you the kind of guy I am, I’ll even take the short end of a 60-40 split on the $1 million. You close the deal and I’ll sign.
Hillbilly Deluxe
February 16th, 2011
11:06 am
Albert has been a truly great baseball player and he has some good years left but anybody who signs him to a 10 year contract will be making a mistake, in my opinion.
Outside Observer
February 16th, 2011
11:07 am
Well, considering the great Bobby Cox said that Pujols is worth $50 million, I would say $30 million a year is a bargain.
Will
February 16th, 2011
11:08 am
Waste of time and space here! Not only is pujols not gonna leave ST. Louis, if for some crazy reason he does no way in hell he is gonna be a brave
benchwarmer
February 16th, 2011
11:10 am
The man wants a 10 year contract. Will anyone even offer him that? I don’t see it happening.
Tea
February 16th, 2011
11:11 am
Didn’t we already make the mistake of thinking one guy could transform our team when we acquired Tex? He didn’t accomplish that transformation (and let’s not even talk about who we gave up for his short rental period). Beside if Liberty Media was willing to consider radically changing their cost projections we would have known about it before now, right?
Dreaming of Dealing « The Grit Tree
February 16th, 2011
11:12 am
[...] Jeff Schultz at AJC posted an obligatory blog post this morning about the potential of Albert Pujols in a Braves Uniform. This is tempting to think about, but it won’t happen for several reasons: [...]
gwinnettbravesfan
February 16th, 2011
11:13 am
Trade Uggla for some prospects let chipper walk after this year or force him to retire. KK comes off so does Lowe and Mclouth. You could even trade Mccann for another decent pitcher a number 3 starter or a decent prospect or two and start D. Ross he is a very capable backup! Just my opinion. Wren are you reading this!
Jason in houston
February 16th, 2011
11:14 am
save the money – spend on heyward and hanson. That’s the next face of the Braves franchise.
Mike10
February 16th, 2011
11:15 am
Let’s face it the Braves don’t have a chance in h#ll.Cheap!Cheap!Cheap!
John Galt
February 16th, 2011
11:16 am
We’ve had Tommie Aaron, Mike Lum, Deron Johnson and Tommy Gregg at first base since Adcock- no shortage of star power there!
Our real deficit has been at short, with no one of note since Sonny Jackson, Gil Garrido, Pat Rocket and Larvell Blanks.
Robert
February 16th, 2011
11:19 am
“Biggest Question? Is he 31 yrs old like he says? Remember Andruw Jones?”
Andruw’s problem isnt his age – it’s his laziness
I wouldnt even consider a ten year deal – but if I were a GM and had some way to make the cash available, I’d feel ok about having Pujols for 7 years at $200 million
Mike10
February 16th, 2011
11:19 am
Pujols is probably the best player in the game and I would’nt blame the guy if he wants his salary to reflect that .I don’t see him taking anything south of 28 Million.
Robert
February 16th, 2011
11:20 am
“Well, considering the great Bobby Cox said that Pujols is worth $50 million”
Considering that Bobby Cox routinely says that it was “just one bad pitch” when the opposition scores in double digits – I would no attention to what Bobby Cox says
gcs
February 16th, 2011
11:20 am
Liberty Media is a huge conglomerate that makes billions of dollars a year. I don’t understand why they are trying to fool us into thinking they are a li’l ol’ mom & pop operation.
There are only a handful of teams that can afford $30M/year and that is not fair. Baseball needs a salary cap now more than ever.
.
NCBravesFan
February 16th, 2011
11:23 am
Lowcountry Bulldawg: understood, but the Braves might up their ticket prices if Pujols were acquired, and then they would be right back where they were before they acquired him (money-wise). LOL
urban redneck
February 16th, 2011
11:24 am
isn’t freeman supposed to be better than pujols, anyway?
hahaha
NCBravesFan
February 16th, 2011
11:26 am
I meant the bandwagon fans would not pay the increased ticket prices.
Jim
February 16th, 2011
11:32 am
NO. With the lineup you mentioned, if Freeman is good (doesn’t need to be great) then what the Braves need is two outfielders, one to go to LF if Prado plays 3rd, and a center fielder. They should be able to get what they need to be a contender for a lot less money than $25-30 million.
Walker, Texas Ranger
February 16th, 2011
11:33 am
Consider the buzz Heyward created when he came up. Now multiply by 10. That is the buzz Albert would create.
Lee
February 16th, 2011
11:34 am
The braves are sold on Freddie Freeman. While it would be nice to get Albert. I dont think they will drop that kind of money in his lap.
Sonny Jackson
February 16th, 2011
11:35 am
Yeah get Pujols and picth who Chipper? lol. Why not go ahead and get Barry Bonds and pitch Brooks Conrad! Real funny Jeff!
justin1
February 16th, 2011
11:39 am
I heard him on I think David Letterman the other day saying growing up the Atlanta Braves were his favorite team growing up in the D.R. Letterman proceeded to say “So St. Louis is your favorite team now?”
Pujols replies, “I guess”
feartheBraves
February 16th, 2011
11:40 am
If Pujols really is holding out for more money, the Cardinals should let him go – like they haven’t offered him plenty already. But I wonder if Pujols really wants to hold out, or if it’s just a ploy to build tension and give the media something to write about (no offense Jeff). We probably won’t know one way or another until Pujols signs a deal. If he re-signs with the Cardinals, that may prove that this was nothing more than hype. If he signs anywhere else, his reputation as a genuinely respected player may be out the window – a la Lebron.
John
February 16th, 2011
11:42 am
I agree the Braves would NEVER do this but it’s nice to dream. Somebody may have already said this but if Freeman has a good year that would be a nice showcase for other teams who could then trade for him and maybe there could be a package of Lowe/Freeman and that would help another team in the short and long term but like the article said the Braves have to worry about future contracts too and knowing the Braves they’ll build up their prospects and not mortgage the future to pay one guy $30 million a year.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 16th, 2011
11:49 am
I think if you gave the fans Pujols EVERYONE would pay $5 bucks more a ticket. It would show the ownership was commited to putting a viable product on the field. What people will not pay more for is status quo.
Phillisux
February 16th, 2011
11:51 am
Pujols is the best player in the game, but the Cardinals have him as well as very good starting pitching and they’ve won how many championships in the last 10 years? Problem with Pujols and a 7 year contract is that the app. $30 million per year will severely limit the Braves in making other moves. Nice dream, not so nice reality.
Braves? HA! Bronx Bomber baby.
February 16th, 2011
11:51 am
Droppin dollah dolla bills yo.
Mike B
February 16th, 2011
11:51 am
Just Posting my resume because email is blocked at work! Sorry ya’ll! Go Braves!
Michael Brunetti
14 South Baptist Street, Newport, RI 02840 halftimebrunetti89@yahoo.com 516-808-2821
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Johnson & Wales University Providence, RI
B.S., Sports Entertainment/ Event Management May 2010
Concentration: Sports Management
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Responsible for presenting the guest’s with an overwhelming first and last impression of the hotel.
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Parked approximately 30-50 cars daily & assisted guests with luggage
Hotel Viking: Newport, RI
Intern May 10- Present
Interned with hotel in areas of front desk, human resources, housekeeping, sales and marketing, engineering, and management.
Shadowed the manager for each area and was taught how to properly accomplish each job through an 11 week period.
Other Work:
Big East Football Conference Providence, RI
Web Page Intern September 5-Present
Observed Big East football games and selected highlights & cropped and save to company’s website
Watch referees to appropriate log information regarding accuracy of calls
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Providence, RI
Community Service Chairman October 2006 – Present
Raised money for Toys for Tots as a part of Chairman for Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
Raised over $60,000 over college tenure for various charities
ACTIVITIES/ HONORS:
Johnson & Wales University: Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
Historian (’07-’08): In charge of alumni relations and submitting year-in-review of fraternity to the head of Greek life.
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NCAA D III Wrestling team (‘06-‘08)
Intramural Sports: Flag football (’06-’10), Baseball (’06-’10)
Commentator for home wrestling matches at Johnson & Wales University (’10-present)
chief pitchanono
February 16th, 2011
11:52 am
Noooooooooooo! We should stay as far away from Albert as possible. He is a team killer for any medium to small market team, unless they have an owner with open checkbook, and most do not. If the cardinals are smart they will let him walk if giveing him the contract he wants means not being able to afford to build a contending team around him. He deserves every dollar he can get, but if he’s not gonna give the cards a discount then he is going to be limited to a handfull of clubs who can really afford him. Stay Away Braves!
Disbott 3000
February 16th, 2011
12:00 pm
Jeff, it’s a crazy dream not even worth having. Pujols is fantastic. A one-of-a-kind player. And he would be great for the Braves, but they will never be able to afford him and, if they somehow did, they’d have to sell the rest of the team away to do it, which would leave him the star of a glorified single A team. Both parties will be better off without each other, I think.
And I agree with some of the others. You are neglecting some great guys who have come through here at 1st base. Crime dog, Big Cat and Bream, if no others, deserve a little more respect. Just sayin’!
Tech Tard
February 16th, 2011
12:00 pm
Bud Selig is the worst commish baseball has ever seen. When will he look over at the NFL’s salary cap? Each team has a chance to win.
urban redneck
February 16th, 2011
12:01 pm
a washington newspaper is reporting that mcdowell went to ga tech and glavine is the new pitching coach………..uh, what????
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/15/tom-glavine-named-braves-pitching-coach/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS
BehindEnemyLines
February 16th, 2011
12:08 pm
At $300 million over 10 years? At his age (whatever that really is)? Only combination that would do it is an insane GM & even crazier ownership, willing to cripple a franchise for the back half of a decade.
Smiling Jack
February 16th, 2011
12:09 pm
Pipe dream all you want. It’s fun fantasy. But, thank the Lord the Braves management has a reality grip on things and continue to bring us a competitive team we can be proud of year after year. Go Braves.
Warren Spahn
February 16th, 2011
12:10 pm
I liked your reference to Big Joe Adcock. Of course, Galarraga and McGriff provided some good efforts. Sid Bream was and is a good man. However, none of them measured up to Big Joe.
Edward
February 16th, 2011
12:11 pm
Don’t even think about it ,he’s not worth the money he’s asking for.
Call it what u want.....
February 16th, 2011
12:16 pm
Thats some weird shiz on that washington times report……lol.
Just Saying......
February 16th, 2011
12:18 pm
From a “Dreaming” standpoint, knock yourself out. From a reality standpoint, forget about it. No way would this improve your team over the long haul, paying 25% or more of your team payroll to one player is pure folly.
Albert will probably end up a Yankee or Red Sox, those teams can afford it. Plus, would having Albert offset the loss of fans once the team is out of the playoff race? With that kind of overhead you are very limited to what you can do should you have injuries or need a spark. Ask the Texas Rangers about that approach.
GL
February 16th, 2011
12:19 pm
WHEN PIGS FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!