Now that the talks with Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals have reached a stalemate on a new contract until after the season, there is talk in Cubs nation about the Cubs pursuing Albert after the season. Here's the deal... if the Cubs can get Albert for exactly how much and for how long they signed Alfonso Soriano (7 years, $140 million+), I would possibly consider it being worth it. A single dime or day more and I want nothing to do with it. And that pretty much means he ain't gonna be a Cub because Albert will be seeking considerably more talks have already floated around of him wanting 10 years $300 million. Aside from perhaps the Yankees, and maybe even them included, a contract like that will cripple an organization. A-Rod's original contract with the Texas Rangers crippled that team and was WAY more than he was worth. All that money, stupid high amounts tied up in one player severely inhibits a team from paying market value for other necessary players. History has proved that the sport of baseball does not need a "super-duper star", in order to compete. Who was the super star on the Giants last year? Who was the super star on the 2005 White Sox? Certainly no one worth anywhere near $300 million.

I think and hope baseball owners have gotten away from the ridiculous contracts that were handed out a few years ago. I have zero idea what Albert Pujols turned down from the Cardinals but i'll go out on a limb and bet that it was more than fair for a player of his exceptional abilities. He better hope he stays healthy this season and doesn't tear any muscles or sustain any career threatening injuries. Otherwise his self imposed deadline for cutting off contract talks will make him forever be one of the dumbest and selfish "me-first" guys in baseball history - if he hasn't already begun to to be worthy of that honor.

Maybe now and maybe for the next 3-4 years as well. What happens after that when .300/30/100 is no longer close to what he can do? The guy is going to be 32 after this season.

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Yeah? Some say he's currently 35.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I would trade a decade of bad for a season that ends with a WS championship, BUT this rationale is what caused the current situation this team finds itself in. They went for it and fell on their faces 2 yrs in a row in the playoffs.

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A players prime traditionally hasnt extended into their late 30's. The only reason we are so used to seeing that now is due to PEDs. I think a long term big money deal for a 32 yr old is questionable. And as Darko pointed out, there have been whispers that he is even older than 32...

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