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
Big D from Acworth
February 16th, 2011
6:39 pm
Too many players have used the Braves to get what they really want from another club. I hope the Braves blow this off and go about their business of building from within.
Major league needs a salary cap. I would love to see NY & Boston play on a level playing field.
Michael
February 17th, 2011
3:40 pm
you guys are obviously too young to remember that Orlando Cepeda, Willie Montanez, Chris Chambliss and Bob Horner also played first base for the Braves.
Tami
February 17th, 2011
3:43 pm
I don’t get Pujols wanting to battle A-Rod for the highest contract. At what cost? No team is likely to get into debt — especially during the present economic situation – to try to help him win. You know, he’s only a 1B. At that kind of money, he should play all nine positions simultaneously. Yeah, we know that’s impossible. No one person can be an entire starting nine. So, unless Pujols cools the competition with A-Rod and comes to his senses, he’s not likely to get the contract he’s looking for UNTIL A-Rod retires. And only the Yankees can afford him. And if he does cool the competition, while I’d LOVE to see him with the Braves, he belongs where he is with the Cards.
Shelby
February 17th, 2011
4:21 pm
If the Braves made the move to get Pujols it would be fantastic!! of course we all know its not going to happen. but if it did, they would def get their money’s worth…
nathanbuford
February 17th, 2011
5:56 pm
absolutely stupid to even seriously consider pujols for what he is asking, but since we are only dreaming, go ahead. we have a 1st baseman with great potential. what we need is outfielders to go with J-HEY. GO BRAVES
paraklete
February 17th, 2011
5:59 pm
If he goes anywhere but Cards, it is probably to the Nats. They have shown a propensity to “overspend” to change the “culture” of the team lately…
No team “should” give a 31 year old player a 10 year contract. However, “making sense” is not necessarily an baseball executive trait. Sometimes they feel, you pay what you have to pay to get what you want…
Also, if no team offers him a 10 year 30 mil. contract, the player’s union will probably cry “collusion”…
LostCAuse
February 17th, 2011
6:05 pm
Just stop talking this non-sense right now. We don’t need a first baseman, we need shortstops and outfielders. just STOP IT!
Fnff3354
February 17th, 2011
8:28 pm
Without a doubt!!!!!!! Shaeffer; Prado; Uggla; Pujols; McCann; Heyward; Gonzales; Hinske; …Hudson; Jurrgens; Hanson;
Minor/ Beachy = World Series,
Not even a question.
Sellouts, souveniers, ppublicity, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Win, Win!
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
February 18th, 2011
12:10 am
Tami – so are you saying that Griffey Jr. should’ve stayed where he belonged and stayed in Seattle?
Obiviously, Jr. isn’t Albert, BUT he left Seattle where he was very much loved, and played for the Reds. He did return to Seattle to finish out his career (which personally, I think was awesome and deserved a chance to do that…which did in deed happen). All I’m saying is…if Albert wants to bolt, then more power to him. Doesn’t mean he can’t return to St. Louis…at some point before he retires.
jonwon1353
February 18th, 2011
9:05 am
Albert Pujols is the best player in baseball, but his best years are behind him.
Age catches up with everyone and he would be no exception. He may have a
year or three at the best and only a foolish team can make a commitment on him.
He’ll be in pinstripes or a Met in 2012 !
jonwon1353
February 18th, 2011
9:11 am
Oh, yeah !! I forgot about the Nationals…
The team that was broke in Canada can now spend millions
they didn’t have. It makes you wonder where our health care
money is going. Since Obama went to Washington, the Expos,
uh, I mean National have been loaded with extra cash. Makes
you wonder.
Dorothy Davis
February 18th, 2011
2:30 pm
PUJOLIS, A Brave team mate? Do we need another Bonds or McGuire disaster? NOT.
adam
February 19th, 2011
11:19 pm
If they entertained that idea, which i dont forsee them doing, that would be very interesting. They could still hold onto Freeman. He was a converted third baseman, Prado could play short and Freeman third. Then hope for Schafer to come through and be able to play in center or left. Then maybe another rookie come in at the other. Then for at least a few years this could be a very dangerous offense. However, you would definatly have to take your hits somewhere else. That would be in our depth off the bench and the bullpen!
chippersux
February 20th, 2011
8:15 pm
what??? chipper Jones is going to get 13 million this season!!! wow , for what ? the guy is washed up . seems like when they need a hit out of him he either strikes out or hits into double play!! what a waste of money!!!! hey chipper do the team and the fans a favor….QUIT!!!! he is only good at one thing and that’s getting “injured” oh yeah and talking about how he is better than everyone else on the team!
falconfan58
February 21st, 2011
10:04 am
ALBERT IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY. ST LOUIS WON THE WORLD SERIES HOW MANY TIMES IN THE LAST 5 OR SO YEARS. RIGHT NOW THE PHILLIES ARE THE BEST TEAM THAT MONEY CAN BUY–NOW WE WAIT FOR THE RESULTS. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BRAVES.
Bob the Blogger
February 21st, 2011
8:00 pm
Pujols is not going to be worth $25 million 8 years from now, and he’s already turned that down. If we let the competition overpay the superstars and we spend our payroll dollars prudently, we’ll be a better team for it.
DEAFGary
February 22nd, 2011
8:14 pm
I think the Braves (as well as the rest of the entire professional sporting franchises) need to stop paying multi-million dollar contracts to players, who aren’t worth the air they breath.
Sure Chipper could hit a ball – so what…he’s not worth the millons, he’ll get just for making the team this year.
Nor is Pujols worthy of lifetime financial security.