2010 MLB Season Discussion

[Akiyama]

I believe if Howard were younger (say 26-28ish), then you could at least argue the case for a 2 for 1 superstar trade, but he's the same age as Pujols..so not much you can do there.

[Bozo]

Howard is not just another guy that hits homers. He hits home runs at a pace that has never been seen before in the history of baseball.

This, even with some of his faults he still has more HR and RBI than anyone over the last 4-5 years by a longshot.

[*Shinzon*]

This, even with some of his faults he still has more HR and RBI than anyone over the last 4-5 years by a longshot.

He doesn't hit for average. When he hits he hits big, but he doesn't hit that often. He's an excellent power hitter no doubt. But again, he's not nearly on the same level as Pujols as an overall player. Purely power hitters tend to not age well either.

[volcanicweather]

I'm sorry but the topic of a Pujols for Howard trade is just retarded. It will never happen.

[Orph]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cardinals trade Pujols at some point if they feel there is no way they can re-sign him. Pujols for Strasburg and Bryce Harper 2011 trade deadline

[*Shinzon*]

I'm pretty sure if the cards couldn't work a deal with Pujols out, they'd pick up his option and let him walk as a free agent. They would get draft picks and maintain a player who can help them be a competing team. I really can't see him ever being packaged in a trade unless the offer is so outrageous that they couldn't say no.

[Orph]

Isn't his option for 2011?

[Bozo]

But again, he's not nearly on the same level as Pujols as an overall player. Purely power hitters tend to not age well either.

Didn't say he was. You can't say a .279 career average is "bad" for a "pure power hitter". As far as aging, if Howard declines 5+ years from now like people say then you can say you told me so.

[Cephius]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cardinals trade Pujols at some point if they feel there is no way they can re-sign him. Pujols for Strasburg and Bryce Harper 2011 trade deadline

Sorry but barring career-ending injury, a sudden drastic drop in performance, the coming of the apocalypse or any other unforeseen event, Pujols is not going anywhere. St. Louis is a baseball town, they just signed Matt Holliday for big money (why would they sign him if they weren't sure they'd have enough money for Albert?) and they're committed to winning/not rebuilding. So I think it's crazy to think that he'll be playing anywhere but St. Louis for the next 7-10 years.

[Bozo]

the coming of the apocalypse or any other unforeseen event,

Halladay gave up a run and Polanco struck out against the Pirates... You've doomed us all.

[Ensam]

Howard is not just another guy that hits homers. He hits home runs at a pace that has never been seen before in the history of baseball.

wut

And players like Howard do not age well. I've already gone over this before. But look at his comps via Baseball Reference: Richie Sexson (Fell off cliff at age 32, last season age 33), Cecil Fielder (Fell off cliff at age 33, last season age 34), Mo Vaughn (Fell off cliff age 35, last season then), Tony Clark (Fell off his cliff at age 30, been a bench bat for the past 7 years. Did have one massive hurrah at age 33 but small sample size ftw), David Oritz (YEAH).

Couple more years, chances are he's going to fall on his face. Whoever trades/signs him is probably gonna be reaaaaal disappointed. We're not talking 5+ years from now, we're talking at the end of his current contract.

Also, you have to love Dusty Baker.

"I doubt they even had a pitch count" in Cuba, Baker said. "That's very important. Sometimes you can under-pitch a guy if he's used to throwing. I see him out there throwing long-toss. He throws every day. This winter was probably the longest he's been off in his whole career. You just hope you don't un-train him."

So yeah, I would be buying a Chapman jersey if I were a Reds fan.

[Cephius]

rofl Dusty...

Chapman's arm RIP, we hardly knew ye

[Headspace]

For the love of god I hope they keep him in relief this season as we continue to be sub 500 so we can get a manager who doesn't fuck up his arm.

[Trichocyst]

St. Louis is definitely a baseball town, but they're going to have to expand payroll to a level it's never been before to afford both Holliday and Pujols or really hamstring the entire team for two players. They've had winning teams at $85-$90 mil and to simply add what Pujols will probably make onto that is a big change.

Nobody understands the flaws of Ryan Howard than a Phillies fan who watches him play regularly. You really think that he's having a horrible year, then suddenly he's hitting another milestone faster than anybody ever has.

[Cephius]

St. Louis is definitely a baseball town, but they're going to have to expand payroll to a level it's never been before to afford both Holliday and Pujols or really hamstring the entire team for two players. They've had winning teams at $85-$90 mil and to simply add what Pujols will probably make onto that is a big change.

Do you not think they're prepared to do that? I would hope that Mozeliak was aware that Pujols' contract is up soon when he decided to sign Holliday to big numbers, and knew that he could fit Albert's considerable dollars into his longterm budget. I don't see how he could have missed it, since Pujols' contact situation has been mentioned no less than 500 million times this offseason. Trust me, the dollars will be there.

Nobody understands the flaws of Ryan Howard than a Phillies fan who watches him play regularly. You really think that he's having a horrible year, then suddenly he's hitting another milestone faster than anybody ever has.

Yes, we get it, he hits a lot of home runs, he gets a lot of milestones. That doesn't tell you the whole story, and doesn't justify trading him for Pujols and somehow thinking it's anything close to even.

Also to the Matsui fanclub, Nick Johnson has been tearing the cover off the ball this Spring. Here's hoping he stays healthy!

[Conrad]

I don't think anyone is claiming that Howard = Pujols. I think it's more that the argument was made that Howard is a run-of-the-mill player when the truth is that he's quite more talented than that.

[Hex]

Pujols vs Howard is a no brainer for a Cardinals fan. Pujols is St. Louis baseball now. There were a shit ton of rumors that the Cards were gonna trade him for Soriano straight up when they were both going into arbitration for the first time. It's all talk. If it ever comes out that the Cards were seriously thinking of trading Pujols it'd hurt the team two fold. Pujols would feel slighted and never resign. Second the Fans would go up in arms over this and that wouldn't be good.

I will say the only logical reason they would ever consider such a trade would be that they have zero plans to spend the money Pujols wants them too on a winning team. He's made it clear he will resign with the Cards if they build a team around him that can win. Pujols wanted Holliday there and they went with his wishes. They will do the same this season or next off season; if he wants a big time pitcher or another bat.

I'm a life long Red Bird fan and I give Kudos for Albert for telling them, build a team around me before I sign. Sure the man appreciates everything he's got in St. Louis but he also understands that you have to have an owner who wants to win with you and not just ride you for what they can.

[Trichocyst]

Everyone knows that Albert Pujols is the best player in baseball and it's not likely any of us will seriously think that it will happen.

The only reason I am bothering to bring it up at all is because:

1. It was implied that Phillies fans were stupid front runners all buying into this concept and getting hyped up which is just not true. And it's not like any of the Phillies fans here are cheerleading for it to happen. Everyone knows it's a ridiculous rumor that people are talking about because they need something to talk about.

2. Nobody claims that Ryan Howard is on the same level of Albert Pujols. Part of the reason we know that comparison is ridiculous is because we see him day in and day out. We see him his lose shit against lefties on the Nats and lefties on the Yankees in the world series. We know he's not Pujols. We get it. We love him anyway.

[Reality]

Utley has more value than Howard does IMO, and it's not even close really

Look at Chase's numbers over the last 3-4 years, and then look at the position he plays.

[Ensam]

Utley has more value than Howard does IMO, and it's not even close really

Look at Chase's numbers over the last 3-4 years, and then look at the position he plays.

And the defense he plays.

Plus he's white, so he has more grit.