Saturday Roundup Applesauce - Albert Pujols Deadline, Kyle Farnsworth And Bruce Chen Have Signed

by Eric Simon on Jan 15, 2011 7:47 PM EST

Albert Pujols has told the Cardinals that they have until spring training to work out a contract extension with one of the greatest hitters you'll ever see. Pujols turns 31 tomorrow and some have speculated that his next deal could be for upwards of ten years and $300 million, or perhaps even more than that. If the Cardinals are unable to meet Pujols's timetable and the slugger reaches free agency next offseason, the Mets will be among the favorites to haul him in, particularly with the Yankees already committed to Mark Teixeira at first base through 2016. If the Red Sox eventually sign Adrian Gonzalez to an extension--his current deal expires after 2011--even better for the Mets, who will see the salaries of Carlos Beltran, Oliver Perez, and, with a little strategic bullpen management this season, Francisco Rodriguez, coming off the books just in time to back the money truck up to Pujols's house.

Kyle Farnsworth signed a one-year deal with the Rays worth $3.25 million, presumably to replace Rafael Soriano as their closer. Farnsworth was great with the Royals last year before a midseason trade to Atlanta, after which his ERA imploded despite otherwise impressive peripherals.
Speaking of Soriano, a source says that Yankees GM Brian Cashman was overruled by Hal Steinbrenner after Cashman's earlier proclamation that the team had no intention of surrendering its first-round draft pick in 2011. Just when it looked like this had become Cashman's team--full autonomy, and so forth--that meddlesome Steinbrenner gene has kicked in again to make certain that Yankee money be spent, wisely or not.
Former Met Bruce Chen has re-signed with the Royals for $2 million guaranteed plus another potential $1.5 million in performance-related bonuses. Chen pitched for the Mets in 2001 and 2002, struggling to distinguish himself from the Dicky Gonzalezes of the world. As it turned out, Chen was eventually traded with one of those Dickey Gonzalezes--the Dickey Gonzalez, in fact--in an early-2002 deal with the Expos for Scott Strickland and some other leftover parts.
At Beyond the Boxscore, Satchel Price has the top ten remaining free agents, though three of them--Jeff Francis, Jim Thome and Grant Balfour--have signed with teams since the article was published. Carl Pavano, rumored to be close to returning to the Twins, tops the list. Brian Fuentes, a Type B, is also available.

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Albert Pujols

me want

2009 Did Not Happen

by cjmulrain on Jan 15, 2011 8:01 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

As much as I would want Pujols

It would be nice if the greatest player of this generation spent his entire career with one team. I guess I’m torn, then, on whether I’d want this deal to fall apart.

by dcmetsfan on Jan 15, 2011 8:17 PM EST reply actions

Don't worry

Nick Evans is going nowhere

by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 15, 2011 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

Who?

"The Mets are gonna be amazin'!" - Casey Stengel
"Bounding and astounding!" - Clyde Frazier

by Russ on Jan 15, 2011 9:06 PM EST up reply actions

it would be better for the Mets to have him for the second half of his career

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jan 16, 2011 8:55 AM EST up reply actions

Albert Pujols is going to be a lifelong Cardinal

He seems like that kind of guy. I entertain no illusions that he will be a Met (or a player on any other team).

Re: Bruce Chen contract- Wasn’t he fighting real hard to get a multi-year deal? Guess that didn’t work out for him.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 15, 2011 8:33 PM EST reply actions

Pujols? Possibly the greatest hitter in modern baseball history and probably worth every penny he gets paid.

But is Sandy really going to be interested in spending $30m+ per year for 6 or 7 years to obtain him? doesn’t seem to be his style especially when there is already a talented AND cheap option already at 1b for us.

by ScottfromPeekskill on Jan 15, 2011 8:34 PM EST reply actions

who cares about Sandy?

Fred is a baseball man, if you can potentially rewrite your team’s history you need to open up the checkbook. If not, that means he’ll have picked the goddamn stadium over performance.

Kicking knowledge in the face.

by BlackOps on Jan 15, 2011 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

The thing is

Alderson said that he’s willing to make a splash when the player and the deal is right. This is the type of player he’s talking about. Pujols is a once in a generation player and if he becomes available, I don’t see how Sandy is not interested. In this case, you throw a blank check at Pujols and then figure out what to do with Ike Davis later. I really like Ike but I mean…come on…it’s Albert Freakin Pujols. The guy’s a hall of famer and one of the few “game-changers” in the entire sport.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 15, 2011 11:35 PM EST up reply actions

He should stay a Cardinal.

Unless he’d like to be with the Mets. Im sure all of us like poo holes.

In Soviet Russia, Nets Cheer For You!

by NetsMets4Life on Jan 15, 2011 8:44 PM EST reply actions

I can see us signing him then

even the great Albert turns into Robby Alomar, Bearga, Mo Vaughn all into One

by TheKid08 on Jan 15, 2011 8:52 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

read that as

all into Ollie

"..."

by Thaddeus Ballpheasant on Jan 16, 2011 2:10 AM EST up reply actions

You're just trying to gin up comments, Eric

Pujols isn’t going anywhere.

by SuperT on Jan 15, 2011 9:04 PM EST reply actions

I thouth Hal was the smart Steinbrenner

I guess that’s like jumbo shrimp

by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 15, 2011 9:05 PM EST reply actions 3 recs

If Pujols doesn't sign an extension before spring training, he'll be 2011's LeBron

and I don’t want the freaking drama. That’s the strongest reason why I want him to resign with St. Louis

"The Mets are gonna be amazin'!" - Casey Stengel
"Bounding and astounding!" - Clyde Frazier

by Russ on Jan 15, 2011 9:08 PM EST reply actions

I seriously doubt that

Albert Pujols seems to be of a certain character, based on personal choices and decisions he’s made over the course of his life, that make that kind of thing- jumping ship to another team in a self-hyping and aggrandizing manner- highly unlikely.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 15, 2011 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

If he leaves, it won’t conclude with an open-podium show on ESPN made just for his ego.

Kicking knowledge in the face.

by BlackOps on Jan 15, 2011 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry if I wasn't clear

I didn’t mean that Pujols would pull off an egopalooza. I meant that sports media would spend all season obsessed with where Pujols will land, and we would be focused on if the Mets have a chance at getting him. That is drama that I can live without.

"The Mets are gonna be amazin'!" - Casey Stengel
"Bounding and astounding!" - Clyde Frazier

by Russ on Jan 17, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

This one's a doozy

And its giving me a headache

by Wright of passage on Jan 15, 2011 9:20 PM EST reply actions

Pujols as a Met

While the idea of it is awesome. I don’t want to think of such things as getting Pujols means probably losing my favorite player, no thanks

"Who’s on Second?"
"Right."
"Wright’s on Second?"
"No, Wright’s on Third."
"Then Who’s on Second?"
"Yup."
"Yup WHAT?!"
"Hu’s on Second."
"THAT’S WHAT I ASKED!!!!"

by EMSfan9 on Jan 15, 2011 9:44 PM EST reply actions

You know,

every time I see that Soriano deal & that Steinbrenner overruled his GM in public, I just think to myself that the Steinbrenners & that contract they gave Soriano

Now that I got that out my system, I’m still shaking my head(& laughing at the same time) at their overreacting & giving a 3 year deal to a reliever. Firstly, giving a reliever 3 years(and a deal that has multiple opt outs) is a terrible misuse of resources especially when relievers can be found for cheaper. As far as I know, there weren’t any teams that were actively bidding for Soriano so giving him $10 million was unnecessary at best & plain idiotic at worst. Second, they’re strengthening a strength. The Yankee pen was 5th in the AL in 2010 in FIP, XFIP & 4th in tERA so they really didn’t upgrade their team. Along with that, they still haven’t been able to address their rotation. The 2011 rotation as of now would be: CC, Hughes, Burnett, Nova & Mitre. There’s one great pitcher(CC), an OK one(Hughes) & 3 question marks. Third, they needlessly showed up their GM. Cashman had been doing just fine without the owners interference so they should’ve backed off and let him do his job. Also, Cash was right to protect his draft pick & not want to give a pick away(especially in division) for a reliever. Contrary to what others would tell you(even though technically, they’re right), why would it make sense to give away two picks for a player at such a volatile position that can(and probably would) be filled easily by someone making far less than $10 million? We’re gonna end up being in a similar situation next offseason when money frees up. Just because you have a lot of money laying around doesn’t mean you should overpay or spend foolishly on an area you don’t really need to improve. And lastly, their payroll is gonna be a bitch come 2013.

And OT, LOL Ravens.

What's that about?

by Brian. on Jan 15, 2011 9:55 PM EST reply actions

More OT,

I know Nate Silver used to write for Baseball Prospectus & therefore he has an idea on how to properly value players. Which is why I’m surprised he could write such a weak(IMO) article.

And the Atlanta Falcons are fuckin’ up right now.

What's that about?

by Brian. on Jan 15, 2011 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

From the yankees perspective they see it as with a weak back of the

end rotation they now just need 5 or 6 quality innings from them. The pen 7-9 can do the rest.

by TheKid08 on Jan 15, 2011 11:33 PM EST up reply actions

Haha. These two lines are full of lulz.

The Yankees did not pay a set up man $35 million over three years. They paid an eighth inning closer $35 million over three years.

the role of closer is overrated.

So Soriano isn’t a set up man, he’s a second closer – but closers are overrated… Contradictory much?

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 16, 2011 12:00 AM EST up reply actions

So 20yrs 300 million

I’m down with that.

John Franco (shoulda been) HOF 2011

by JoeBighead on Jan 15, 2011 10:01 PM EST reply actions

10 yrs, my bad

John Franco (shoulda been) HOF 2011

by JoeBighead on Jan 16, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

I can just imagine

28 other SBNation MLB team blogs having the same Pujols wet dream.

"..."

by Thaddeus Ballpheasant on Jan 16, 2011 2:17 AM EST reply actions

Wait, I'm confused.

Why are the Mets going to pay so much money for another doctor?(www.drnickevans.com) It would be one thing if they wanted to double up with a player/staff but there is nobody on the roster with that name.

by Shinjo Is God on Jan 16, 2011 8:12 AM EST reply actions

PLEASE

no more mega contracts

by bob c on Jan 16, 2011 9:29 AM EST reply actions

Albery Pujols is the only MLB player worth a mega contract

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 16, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

Felix Hernandez?

Joe Mauer?

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 16, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

Felix plays every 5th day, and Mauer has a history of injury (and plays at a position that isn't going to help)

Not that I would mind if the Mets somehow acquired either, but…You know what I mean.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 16, 2011 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

Well paid, Mauer

I could live with that.

It's a triumph of number crunching over the human spirit...aaaaaand, it’s about time. -- Play-by-Play Announcer, The Simpsons.

by MookieTheCat on Jan 16, 2011 10:42 PM EST up reply actions

plays a position that isn't going to help????

i don’t understand how a great C doesn’t help. I like Thole but if somehow we had a chance to get Mauer, it is a no brainer to pick him up. he has had a couple of injuries but has come back from each.

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jan 17, 2011 6:47 AM EST up reply actions

This

Elite catchers aren’t exactly widely available.

"The Mets are gonna be amazin'!" - Casey Stengel
"Bounding and astounding!" - Clyde Frazier

by Russ on Jan 17, 2011 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

I think he means that playing C isn't going to help him stay healthy

I am willing to wait to build a world class franchise (h/t to millsy)

by BobbyV_Incognito on Jan 17, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, he meant this.

And I understand the concern, but even if you only get 5 more years out of him from the catching position, that’s 5 years of the best catcher since Piazza. Then you’d have at least a great hitting 1B (and IMO, Mauer could be above average defensively there too).

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 17, 2011 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

Please explain....

the Mets will be among the favorites to haul him in

by fxcarden on Jan 16, 2011 10:06 AM EST reply actions

Unless the Cards have a hard cap at $100MM

and a death wish, Pujols ain’t goin nowhere.. Even in the face of Chris Carpenter’s walk year I seriously doubt they don’t push the limits of their payroll to keep the core intact.

by Wright of passage on Jan 16, 2011 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

no way that Pujols is anything but a Card

dont even get your hopes up. If, for some crazy reason he does become a FA (like, the entire city of St. Luis falls into a deep sinkhole) then dream about it. Otherwise, you are doomed for disappointment.

I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.

by gbaked on Jan 16, 2011 2:14 PM EST reply actions

I am pretty sure he is a Card for life too

but it is fun to dream.

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jan 17, 2011 6:51 AM EST up reply actions

what would we do with ike davis if we sign pujols?

I hate Philadelphia so much.

by the caveman on Jan 16, 2011 4:49 PM EST reply actions

That's a good problem to have

but RF maybe? He has the arm, and we know he can track fly balls, just not sure about the legs though.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 16, 2011 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

2nd base?

"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

LET'S GO RANGERS!!!

by Moshe52792 on Jan 16, 2011 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

The Duda no bides.

In lobby for: Jaime Cevallos, Zack Lutz, orange unis
The Unwritten Rules of AA

by Michkin on Jan 16, 2011 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

Reconvert him back into a pitcher!

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 453 posts (10/03/10)

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 17, 2011 12:15 AM EST up reply actions

RF or very good trade bait.

It really opens up a lot of possibilities.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 16, 2011 10:43 PM EST up reply actions

very good trade bait

I love the guy, and he will have a good career, but I don’t see him having a Pujols type career.

Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all

by Rickfansince76 on Jan 17, 2011 6:49 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly.

That’s why I said RF or trade bait. If the Mets were to deal him next offseason, he’d still have a cost controlled season followed by 3 years of arbitration. That alone makes him valuable but his defense and the potential of his bat would certainly help. I like Davis but if you have a shot at Pujols, you get him on board first and decide what to do with Davis later.

Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!

by Steve Schreiber on Jan 17, 2011 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

Ike should never play RF for the Mets

He doesn’t have the range for the position in Citi Field.

"The Mets are gonna be amazin'!" - Casey Stengel
"Bounding and astounding!" - Clyde Frazier

by Russ on Jan 18, 2011 7:50 AM EST up reply actions

Steep Decline

I think Pujols will decline sharply over the next couple of years and not worth the 30 million he will receive for about 6 years.

by The real Julio from Paterson on Jan 17, 2011 2:24 PM EST reply actions

Any particular reason why?

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jan 17, 2011 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

Back Issues/Wear and tear

Look at Arod who I consider more of a pure athlete that Pujols and they both shot to 400 Hrs. After that It took alot longer to go from 400 to 500 and 500 to 600 for Arod. Also I’ve always suspected that Pujols is older than his “official date of birth” I could be wrong but he had a more developed body @ 21 than most comparable athletes and he started losing his hair @ 24. It was a prevalent issue in DR with the falsifing of records at the time Pujols came up. It Could also be PED’S. *NOT THAT I’M ACCUSING* I love Pujols and I hope he’s natural but If I have to make the call Its not worth the 30 million a year I’m sure it’s gonna take.

by The real Julio from Paterson on Jan 17, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

Actually Pujols was born in DR but was signed from junior college in MO. But I have alot of friends from Paterson who are Dominican and when children were born there in the late 70’s the parents would not report the birth or get a Birth Certificate until the kids were almost 2 in some cases. I have friends who are older than what there records say and it is actually a common thing.

by The real Julio from Paterson on Jan 17, 2011 4:06 PM EST up reply actions