Baseball Chat

[craddock]

Thu Dec 25, 2008 6:22 am EST
Could Pujols become MLB's first $30-million per year man?

Five years ago the St. Louis Cardinals and the finest hitter of his generation were steaming toward what could have been a dicey and milestone arbitration hearing when, in the 11th hour, Albert Pujols agreed to the largest contract in franchise history. The deal, still active today, made Pujols the ninth $100-million man in baseball history and, at 24, the youngest ever to reach the salary threshold.

As the MVP enters the penultimate year of his guaranteed contract, one thing is clear: He's been a bargain, according to a report by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

News of the New York Yankees inking first baseman Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180-million deal rippled through baseball and there were probably two interested parties who had little direct interest in where Teixeira signed. The Cardinals and Pujols' reps cared about what Teixeira signed for. The switch-hitting, Gold Glove-caliber Teixeira finalized a deal with the spree-spending Yankees that averages $22.5 million a year, according to reports. Does Teixeira's new deal hint at Pujols' next deal?

Both will be 29 during this coming season. Both hit in the middle of the order. Both play first.

Clearly, there is no way to calculate Pujols' worth using other players' salaries. He defies the market. Teixeira's new contract only underscores what was already apparent: Pujols is due a raise. A hefty one. If five years ago, he was the youngest $100-million man, then two years from now is he the first $30-million year man?

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch