A 5 run difference because an ump blows a WS call that badly kinda cheapens this whole game for me. Watched under a protest flag, that guy can't work another game.

Theorhetically, they still score four runs after that play. That would have only made it two outs and the Cards got three hits, an intentional walk and an error after that call.

Texas pitching finally living up to expectations.

Sometimes, I take Pujols for granted...and then he hits the ever-loving fuck out of a 96 mph fastball into the left field stands...the dude has hit some massive home runs, but that one will go down alongside his NLCS homer off Lidge in 2005 - the one that went over the rail tracks in Houston - as one of his best...

EDIT: And Pujols strikes again...McCarver: "He's been hot for 11 years."

EDIT #2: And Pujols strikes for his third homer of the game...if I'm a Ranger, I'm hoping this is a one-and-done dealio, b/c if he gets locked in he can damn near carry the entire team offensively.

Fucking nice!!! Go Albert!

A pretty timely outburst by Pujols. He tied three WS records; HRs (3), hits (5) and RBI (6). What a weapon. Timely for the Cards and timely for himself ($$$).

the cardinals might have to give him a share of the team

The Cardinals better do all that they can to resign Pujols. Honestly, how the fuck can they not? I only see the Cubs and Dodgers as his strongest pursuers because I think Fielder is either signing with the Cubs or Marlins, with the Nationals as a possible sleeper team. It'll cost a ton to sign him but after what he did last night it would a complete let down for Cardinal fans if he goes elsewhere.

Obviously he's going to test the market and see what he can get, and he should, but I'm sure St Louis will do everything reasonable to keep him.

it might not be much of a test

It'll be interesting to see what kind of contract Pujols ends up with. I heard all this talk about how Arods megadeal has turned out to be a bit of a disaster and teams are going to be scared to shell out that kind of cash on players as a result, but you never know with these things once the bidding begins.

he will get 25 million a year for 10 years. i think that is the ceiling

I'm not sure he'll get a 10 year deal only because he'll be 41 or 42 at the end of the contract.

i didnt say that he will play for 10 more years

Why would they sign him to a 10 year deal if they don't expect him to play out the entire contract? You can only front load the deal so much before it affects the ability to field a competitive team.

its not rare. yes is bad buisness and teams that do it end up regretting it but at this point i really dont think the cardinals have much of a choice. giving albert a 10 year deal outweighs letting him go to another team. it would suprise me if albert doesnt get 10 years

I doubt he'll get a 10-year offer, but the Cards have a precedent for questionable long-term deals -namely Holliday, who has a contract that will technically pay him until 2029...a lot of Cards fans have been downplaying his chances of returning in preparation for the worst-case scenario...if they win the World Series, I think his chances of returning are exponentially better than if they do not...his agent has been quietly pushing him toward a bigger market, but it stands to reason that the Cubs won't land him as he is close with Hendry, who is no longer there...seems like Fielder is who the Cubs are eyeing nowadays...and I know the Marlins are in the mix, but I don't see Pujols getting along with Guillen...they might be friends, but they seem like oil and water as a tandem...the latest rumor is that Detroit might take a shot at him as Pujols is BFFs with Cabrera...just a rumor though...

I think SF is going to be a player in the free agent market this year. I have my odds on Reyes being the favorite to land there but they need offense and would not be shocked to see them players in either the Pujols or Fielder derby.

I think Seattle should go after Pujols, personally.

You hate the Holliday deal, Axe? I guess he runs the risk of being Jason Bay of the Mets bad in those final years of his deal but he's a good hitter and I wouldn't rule out him being productive throughout, though maybe not at a level worthy of what he will be earning. That said, easy to say that not being a fan. I was happy not to see my teams give him that deal when he initially signed.

i agree. i feel like reyrey and beltran are going to be enough for the giants. brandon belt will be the firstbaseman next year. i could see them making a play for sizemore in center though.
imagine this
reyrey
sizemore
beltran
posey
panda
belt
schurholtz
keppinger

Like the player, hate the way the deal was packaged...paying a player until he's 49 is a tough pill to swallow.

As a Met fan and having to deal with that kind of arrangement with Bobby Bonilla, I understand.

^ Oh yeah...that one is/was legendary!

God that'd be something. The M's haven't really made a splash on the free agent market since that year when they signed both Beltre and Richie Sexson to long-term deals. I kind of hope it doesn't happen though because they wouldn't content against Texas next season even if they added him and the bidding war is likely to be nuts, with the team actually landing him, overpaying heavily. I think Fielder is more likely because Jack Z drafted him in Milwaukee. It's going to be interesting because with the Yankees and Red Sox out of the 1B sweepstakes, it's possible that both of those guys could sign reasonable (for teams) contracts.

While I agree that Pujols wouldn't be enough to get them past the Rangers I think he'd be a difference maker and help turn that franchise around. I think he can, alone, change the face of a lineup and if there is any team that needs that it woudld probably be, imo, the Mariners. The Mariners would have to probably grab another bat to protect him in the lineup so he isn't constantly pitched around but they should have the financial room to do so as they don't have many big, long term contracts on the book.

I can see the argument for Fielder, and the GM's past connection to him does make him appear the more likely target, but I just don't think he will bring as much to that offense needed team as Pujols would, and I think if the M's are to do something this particular off season they should go all in.

But, hey, I am not the M's fan here so take that opinion with a grain of salt.

I think given the youth movement the M's have been undergoing, they're better off going for free agent player on the younger side of 30. The first time out of arbitration years type of guys like Fielder. I guess adding another potent bat along with a Pujols would give them a puncher's chance at a title with their rotation, but that would be a slim chance with a small window until Pujols gets old/injured and becomes an anchor to their lineup. The Phillies are already seeing this happen with Ryan Howard.

I see the M's only have $55 million in commited contracts in 2012. That doesn't count what arbitration eligible players would take, but that list isn't very long or expensive; League ($2.25 million in 2011), Vargas ($2.45), Saunders ($420K), Smoak ($419K), Pineda ($414K). They'll have the payroll of about $60 mil when they were a $100mil just a couple years ago, so they COULD conceivably make a splash this season. This is the last contracted year of Ichiro ($17 million), so they WILL have to make a splash when he goes. They won't have a franchise face after he leaves or if he regresses like he has the last couple of seasons. You might be right about them having to sign one of these 2012 1Bs. I need to see the list of potential free agents for 2013. Like I say, they'll have to sign or trade for SOMEONE by then. They aren't exactly a poor/small market franchise at this point.