FoxSports.com columnist Ken Rosenthal has an idea that could help the Cardinals out of the Albert Pujols predicament:
“Harold Reynolds mentioned the possibility Monday on MLB Network. My colleague, Jon Paul Morosi, informed me of it later that night. I then stole the idea from Morosi as if I were Lindsay Lohan in a jewelry store. Albert Pujols for Mark Teixeira.
“And, if that doesn’t work, Pujols for Ryan Howard.
“Think it’s nuts? Think again. Pujols for Teixeira is a way out for the Cardinals, who are running out of time in their quest to meet Pujols’ deadline for a new contract by the start of spring training. Teixeira for Pujols also is a way out for the Yankees, who lost the off-season to the Red Sox and need a major splash to divert attention from their scary-thin rotation.”
It’s a thought. Teixeira is earning a more reasonable $22.5 million. He turns 31 this season, but his body doesn’t have Albert’s mileage. He hit 72 homers with 230 RBIs the last two seasons in New York.
He isn’t Pujols, but he and Holliday could form a nice tag team in the middle of the batting order. Like we said, it’s a thought.
Howard, the hometown lad, would offer massive power with less polish. Not sure the Phillies need to go there, though, will all the money tied up in pitching.
Also on FoxSports.com today, columnist Mark Kriegel doubts there is a 10-year, $300 million market for Albert. Why not? The national economy is in the tank, for one thing.
Also on Countdown to Albertageddon, PM Edition: Some Twitter responses to Tony La Russa’s suggestions that the MLB Players Association is pressuring the Pujols camp to go for the gold:
Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports: “Just talked with MLBPA director Michael Weiner about La Russa comments. Weiner: ‘We have had no conversations with Albert or Dan Lozano.’”
Jim Bowden, XM Radio and FoxSports.com: “Tony La Russa is an attorney. Get it out there. Let Weiner deny it. Let Albert know there is no pressure. It's solely his decision. Brilliant.”
Bob Nightengale, USA Today: “It makes good copy, but zero truth that the union is beating up Pujols and his agent, Dan Lozano.”
Bob Fescoe, KCSP radio: “If La Russa thinks the MLBPA is trying to control what Pujols does then he needs help. The MLBPA let Gil Meche leave 12 million on the table (when he retired).”
