04-30-2010, 11:59 AM
<!--quoteo(post=93759:date=Apr 30 2010, 10:19 AM:name=mindbodyspirit)-->QUOTE (mindbodyspirit @ Apr 30 2010, 10:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93755:date=Apr 30 2010, 10:09 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Apr 30 2010, 10:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93752:date=Apr 30 2010, 09:58 AM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ Apr 30 2010, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Stark on Pujols:
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->"No contract has any effect on Albert," he said. "Albert is the best player in Major League Baseball. As great a superstar as Ryan Howard is, there's no comparison to Albert Pujols. He stands above all the rest."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is bullshit. Of course it has an effect. It sets a floor. What salary does the best player get paid more than. If you're Pujols' agent, do you prefer negotiating a contract before or after the Howard deal?
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With all respect, the Howard contract doesn't set anything. AROD's contract is the only contract approaching Pujols's stratosphere. Pujols is like Manny Ramirez with defense, more speed, and a top-notch attitude. Howard is the Frank Thomas of this generation (<i>NOT</i> Mo Vaugn or Cecil Fielder, as some have paralelled). Much as Frank Thomas's salary had little to do with Manny or AROD, Howard has next to nothing to do with Pujols.
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Howard is a 30 year-old first baseman.
Pujols is a 30 year-old first baseman.
Rodriguez got his deal as a 25 year-old third baseman.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->"No contract has any effect on Albert," he said. "Albert is the best player in Major League Baseball. As great a superstar as Ryan Howard is, there's no comparison to Albert Pujols. He stands above all the rest."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is bullshit. Of course it has an effect. It sets a floor. What salary does the best player get paid more than. If you're Pujols' agent, do you prefer negotiating a contract before or after the Howard deal?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
With all respect, the Howard contract doesn't set anything. AROD's contract is the only contract approaching Pujols's stratosphere. Pujols is like Manny Ramirez with defense, more speed, and a top-notch attitude. Howard is the Frank Thomas of this generation (<i>NOT</i> Mo Vaugn or Cecil Fielder, as some have paralelled). Much as Frank Thomas's salary had little to do with Manny or AROD, Howard has next to nothing to do with Pujols.
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Howard is a 30 year-old first baseman.
Pujols is a 30 year-old first baseman.
Rodriguez got his deal as a 25 year-old third baseman.