Now that we've gotten proof that Albert Pujols is just Albert and not a machine, does that change our mind about him?
One of baseball's greatest players is gone 4-6 weeks with a fractured arm. But the repercussions will swirl for much longer.
DAILY PITCH: Pujols' fractured plans
NL BEAT: What next for Marlins?
"Six weeks is a long time," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said, "but I think we're deep enough to cover and remain competitive. This is the kind of thing that heals and doesn't linger."Medically that may be true but not everyone returns from injury the same. That would be physically and mentally.
Pujols has shown to be an incredibly durable player during his career but his power creates so much torque (think Tiger Woods golf swing) that there always has to be a concern.
And there is the fact that Pujols, a .329 hitter with 425 home runs and 1,275 RBI is in a contract year. He already rejected a nine-year, $195 million offer and tabled any discussions until after the season.
A season that shows him with a .279 average with 17 home runs and 45 RBI.
Of course there is also the threat of free agency for the 31-year-old Pujols, a nine-time All-Star.
When there were no issues in spring training, the superstar and the team could not agree on terms. So, will, and should, current events make a difference for Pujols, the Cardinals and any team interested in luring him away from St. Louis?
No comments:
Post a Comment