On the morning of January 19th, I started collecting links – as many as I can find with minimal effort – that discuss the Albert Pujols contract discussions. Why? Who knows, yet here they are. Oh, and to serve you all, our three loyal readers! The Daily Pujols certainly won’t be a comprehensive list, but between local, national, and blog coverage, maybe you’ll find something here you otherwise wouldn’t. Without further delay, here is today’s Daily Pujols…
Local
Bernie Miklasz sees through the Cubs’ and Dan Lozano’s ploy to drive up the price of Albert Pujols‘ new contract. As Bernie mentions, it’s in the best interests of both the Cubbies and Danny to get in bed together, regardless of whether it’s genuine or not.
BJ Rains follows up on what the Pujols negotiations mean for middle infield upgrades for the Cardinals.
Ken Rosenthal made an appearance on The ITD Morning After – read the transcript here.
How do the Rangers fit into this? A team certainly with a need at first base, plenty of money to spend? Derrick Goold explores.
Miklasz wants John Mozeliak to play the game with Lozano and the Cubs – set them on their ears by talking up Prince Fielder to the Cards.
National
Phil Rogers makes a few interesting points about a potential Pujols deal getting done sooner than later – by waiting, then eventually re-signing with the Cardinals, Pujols may well weaken the Cardinals’ chances at further improving the team with other free agents.
MLB.com Cubs reporter Carrie Muskat had a quote from Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, regarding free agents: “As I’ve stated in the past, we’re a major market team and we’re going to be involved across the spectrum,” Hoyer said. “I’m not going to address whether we’re on or off individual players other than the fact that we’re in contact with a lot of teams and a lot of agents and we’re doing everything we can to improve the team for next year and the future.”
Anna McDonald explored some financial what-ifs, including one that I hadn’t really previously considered – the dynamic pricing model for tickets actually would stand to improve their financial windfall from potential Pujols record chases later in any contract. But how much?
Read between the lines. Theo Epstein still is saying the Cubs need to build from within.
Rick Morrissey makes the argument FOR the Cubs and Theo Epstein signing Pujols, but can’t stop typing before arrogantly bringing up performance enhancers. Stay classy.
Jeff Passan thinks Pujols’ own “Decision” a la LeBron James would be good for the game of baseball. Dunno.
Blogs
Marlin Maniac recounts the bidders for Pujols’ services and is another in the camp believing that AP will remain with the Cardinals.
Rob Neyer asks if re-signing Pujols is a good idea for the Cardinals, invoking the name of Matt Adams, as so many have recently. Small nitpick: Neyer didn’t do his homework on Adams, indicating that it was a failure of some sort that Adams didn’t reach triple-A Memphis. Adams was injured, likely preventing such a call-up.
Deadspin put up a second post on the hi-jinks of Pujols agent Dan Lozano. I wouldn’t read it at work.
Alex Fritz wrote an epic “what-if” post at SB Nation St. Louis.
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