The NL Central Without Albert Pujols
What will the NL Central be like without Albert Pujols? Here's my take, written for Baseball Nation.
6 months ago
Al Yellon
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Did you even read the article?
Yes, it’s speculation. But that’s kind of what writers do when stuff like this happens.
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No. Because I find articles like this silly
It’s way too early for them. Had you written it when the dust had settled, I might have read it.
by Nunyabidness on Dec 8, 2011 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
So you don't think there will be any difference in the NL Central next year w/o Albert?
The Stat Pack
by shoemile on Oct 21, 2011 10:10 PM CDT
by Madison Cub Fan on Dec 8, 2011 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
I think there will be many differences
I think it’s way too early to know what they will be.
I mean if the article was one sentence “Albert won’t be there anymore” then it’s fantastically written and well researched. Otherwise……………….
by Nunyabidness on Dec 8, 2011 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
So when can we start thinking about it?
The Stat Pack
by shoemile on Oct 21, 2011 10:10 PM CDT
by Madison Cub Fan on Dec 8, 2011 11:42 AM CST up reply actions
Had you written it when the dust had settled, I might have read it.
by Nunyabidness on Dec 8, 2011 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
And you can start thinking about it whenever you want.
Al asked if I read it, I told him why I didn’t.
by Nunyabidness on Dec 8, 2011 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
Fair enough.
If you did read it, you’d have seen how a MVP-type hitter has been taken out of the division. That has to matter.
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I'm gonna drop it after this but
you’d have seen how a MVP-type hitter has been taken out of the division.
I knew that without reading the article. We don’t know what the NL Central will be like without Albert, because it’s too early to tell.
by Nunyabidness on Dec 8, 2011 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
Perhaps.
Like I said, I was speculating. Feel free to disagree with my speculation.
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It's way too early to see how a player like Aramis Ramirez will affect the NL Central.
I think we might be able to speculate on how a player like Pujols leaving will affect it.
#10 You will be missed.
by Bricks and Ivy on Dec 8, 2011 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
Error spotted I think
I believe you mentioned in the article that Pujols played in two world series, when I believe he played in 3 (winning two, and losing to the Red Sox in the other one).
Well,
What will the NL Central be like without Albert Pujols?
Hopefully a much happier place for Cubs fans.
BEAR DOWN!
Sveum Game '12
by mikegncb34 on Dec 8, 2011 10:59 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
It has to be
I won’t want to be a Ranger fan, their lives got just a bit more difficult over the next few years.
The Stat Pack
by shoemile on Oct 21, 2011 10:10 PM CDT
by Madison Cub Fan on Dec 8, 2011 11:09 AM CST up reply actions
NERD ALERT!
Middle Earth without Sauron
~Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs~ George F. Will
LOL!
a nerd
There are no facts, only interpretations.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Lets Go Theo!!! 10/13/2011
Wherever the Astros go
no matter what league, Pujols is at the plate. Sounds like some kind of Twilight Zone nightmare. Astros withdraw from MLB, join a Mexican baseball league, pitcher takes the mound, sees Pujols. Joins Korean baseball league, Pujols.
by ddoubleheader on Dec 8, 2011 4:09 PM CST up reply actions
What will Albert be like without the NL Central?
Maybe Albert got Fat on Reds, Astros, Pirates and Brewers pitching.
Drew
I repressed most of that
He will miss hitting HRs @ Wrigley for sure.
Does this provide a straight line for Fielder to St. Louis? Or is that math too easy?
Drew
So, he'll now get fat on
Mariners, A’s and Astros pitching
"It's all in the game, yo"
by Worf on Dec 8, 2011 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Oakland usually has pretty good pitching.
Otherwise, and aside from King Felix of course, too true.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
The Mariners actually have one of the most promising young pitching staffs coming up from the minors
To help out King Felix. Pineda, Walker, Hultzen, Paxton, Campos. I’d kill to have a group like that in the Cubs system
No matter what...
…every team in the NL Central benefits from this – except the Cardinals – and that’s a good thing. Haven’t seen the news…any jersey burnings sighted. That was the best part of LeBron’s “decision”.
"Keep looking into the past and you'll keep repeating the past" - Some Smart Guy
No Pujols + no LaRussa + Theo & Jed = Cubs awesomeness!
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
Cubs gotta do something on their part
The pieces they have right now show little sign of awesomeness.
by ddoubleheader on Dec 8, 2011 4:10 PM CST up reply actions
One player does not make a huge difference in my opinion.
Think about it. Offensively, an opponent would see Pujols about 4 at bats a game. Walk him once intentionally. With his .300 average, he’ll get about a hit per game. Maybe it’s a homer but with 40/year average, that’s maybe a 20% chance. The SF Giants never won a WS with 7 time MVP Bonds and the Rangers never won with ARod. In basketball, one player can totally turn a team into a chamipion (Chamberlain, Jabbar, Jordan). Not so in baseball, It’s a TOTAL team effort.
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
Absolutely...
…and I’ll take this opposing viewpoint a step further. I for one might have enjoyed the years 2016 to 2021(!) knowing the cardinals were saddled with this rediculous contract for a player in his upper 30’s (supposidely), after hgh testing becomes more prevelant. C’Mon, let’s fast forward to 2018, who here believes the Angels are going to be enjoying Mr. Pujols THEN?
by jtcitrus on Dec 8, 2011 4:20 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Long term...
…I believe the Cardinals signing him could have benefitted the Cubs.
by jtcitrus on Dec 8, 2011 4:33 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
but how do we know what's going to be happening in 5 years
I’ll take no Albert for the next couple years while he is still performing at peak level over not sure where the Cubs will be in 2016 and will that help them then
The Stat Pack
by shoemile on Oct 21, 2011 10:10 PM CDT
by Madison Cub Fan on Dec 8, 2011 4:46 PM CST up reply actions
You're right...
…no one’s crystal ball is that good, but as one of the MLB trade rumors guys reasoned, no contract beyond even five years has a) ended up well, b) even turned out well over the lifetime of the contract. I believe this contract will again demonstrate this.
by jtcitrus on Dec 8, 2011 5:25 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
but will the Cubs even care in 5 years
The Stat Pack
by shoemile on Oct 21, 2011 10:10 PM CDT
by Madison Cub Fan on Dec 8, 2011 5:36 PM CST up reply actions
Also, remember the Seattle Mariners at one point....
had A-Rod, Griffey, Martinez, Randy Johnson all on the same team and didn’t come close to a chamionship.
"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse
That team (116 wins, not 161)...
… didn’t have Griffey, A-Rod or Randy Johnson.
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I was actually kidding about the 161 wins.
I had forgotten that their big guns weren’t on that team.
Jubilant, I imagine.
Well, everywhere but Viva El Birdos.
"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct
Albert leaving the Redbirds
How will that affect the poor t-shirt guys around Wrigley next year? I can actually see a big profit for them. They should go down to St. Louis and sell their “Pujols Mows My Lawn” shirts there, I see HUGE profits…and a way to pile-on, of course!
Proud member of the Lee Elia 15% club!
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