There are a lot of factors at play in the Albert Pujols contract negotiations. The primary one appears to be money, and that doesn't sit too well with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday that he believes the Major League Baseball Players Association is attempting to "beat up" Albert Pujols and his agent in an attempt to get Pujols to sign a record-setting contract.
And that, La Russa said emphatically, "is bull----. That's not the way it should be."
The way it should be, La Russa contended, is that a player in Pujols' position should "look at all the factors. ... It shouldn't just be the most money."
Money may not be the only issue keeping Albert Pujols from signing his extension, but it is the only one that anyone is talking about. The Cardinals want Pujols, he appears to want to be in St. Louis. The only other object of disagreement is the money they will pay him. Because Pujols is the best player in the sport, the union and his representatives want him to be payed as such. Which is fair, so it's hard to blame him.
But at the same time, isn't $25 million a year over eight years enough to play for a city you want to play for? Wouldn't $1 million? I know that's not fair, but that's how regular fans are going to see it. I don't blame Albert Pujols for trying to get the most money possible, but apparently Tony La Russa does.