Where did you hear they can’t? Lots of money is off the payroll after this season and even more after 2012.

Now, whether they think that spending that type fo bank on him is a differnt story. Based on that article, he’d be into his 40’s before that contract would expire. One injury and you could easily have a twice as bad contract as Soriano. If $280-300M over 10 years is his demand, let him walk.

However, the Cubs could affford that.

WHO will be able to afford Pujols? The yanks have Texiera, the Sox are tied up, the White Sox are tied up, basically that leaves the Cubs, Mets, Angels? If he wants 10 years $280-300 million then I sure as hell hope the Cubs dont take him – the Cards couldnt afford that

He’s got no-trade rights. He’s in last year, now optioned, for $16M. We owe him $1.2M/yr in 10 deferments yrs 2020-2029. Some of us think WE can’t afford him, he’ll tie up nearly 25% of expected payroll limits in St Louis. Assuming he’d accept a trade to y’all & assuming we’d do so & let him pound on us every time we see ya, who would you give us for him? ANY way you’d give us Castro, Colvin & Marmol? I’d do that deal in-a-minute, even throw in Theriot if you’d take him back.

Not pullin’ your leg here or trollin’ ya. Really interested in what y’all would give up in trade for him before April. Thanks

actually hits the FA market, the Cubs had better do every single possible thing that they can to land him.

They’ll have the money, there’s no question. It’s just a matter of will they spend it.

I honestly don’t think the Cardinals can afford to sign Pujols and then stand a chance to do anything in the future. Once Carpenter and Wainright are off the books, they are going to want big money (which is well deserved). You’ll see a lot of Theriots passing through St. Louis for the next ten years. Walk Pujols and Holliday and watch the rest hit into double plays and make TOOTBLANs. So part of me hopes they do sign him. The other part obviously wants the Cubs to get him. That’s the kind of player you give a blank check to and say “you’re worth it” to whatever he wants

And many are my same thoughts. Even IF we could afford, say, 7/$28MAAV HOW do we then retain much of anybody but Holliday? And without any quality depth in the minors, gonna be tuff to build a competitive team with 40% or more going to an aging LF’r & an aging 1Bman. We’re stuck w.Lohse for 2 years @$12M & Carp gets $15M+$2M deferment this year, option for next. Got a couple more years w/Waino but then he’s gonna be offered Lee money. And with Crawford just getting 7/$142M the costs just keep gettin’ higher. We’re at $110M for this year already, a 17% increase over last year’s $94M. We’re no deeper on the bench, no Vet bench depth whatsoever, & to use a Hendryism we’re extremely “left-handed” in the Rasmus, Berkman, Schu, Jay spots (Berkman’s no stud RH’d). Troubling, to me, when Ras & Berkman are your only proven guys with pop beyond Pujols & Holliday. Means ya gotta depend on Craig/Freese RH’d.

IMO if we don’t sign Albert by start of ST we oughta trade him. Let Berkman play 1B & plan on movin’ Holliday there in 2011 for rest of his contract. I don’t think we’d do it in-Division but if so, with you guys, I GOT to have Marmol & Castro in any deal.