I don’t follow Doc Gooden on Twitter. I don’t follow many baseball players, because not many are all that interesting and/or active. But this tweet popped into my feed this morning, and I found it to be a little interesting.
Albert Pujols….in Miami? How does this make sense? Let’s take a quick look at the facts of things.
-Pujols is going to demand a minimum of $20 million a season, most likely more. He’ll also be looking for at least seven years on this deal, probably more.
-The Marlins highest payroll in the past decade has been a shade over $60 million in 2005
-Miami already has $45 million committed in salary in 2012, highlighted by Hanley Ramirez’s $15 million salary and the $13.75 million owed to Josh Johnson
So assuming Pujols only gets $20 million, the Marlins would have $48.75 million tied up in three players, for a team who is routinely near the bottom of the salary structure in baseball. Both Ramirez and Johnson will make the same salary in 2013. Johnson falls off the books after that year, while Ramirez will still be around in 2014 at $16 million. Ricky Nolasco is also under contract for 2012 and 2013, making $9 million in 2012 and $11.5 million in 2013.
I know the Marlins are getting a new park, and a new logo, but this whole rumor of Pujols going to Miami just seems ridiculous. I didn’t even mention the fact that the Marlins have a damn good first baseman currently in Gaby Sanchez, though there are rumors that he could move positions in the long run, possibly to third base.
The Marlins don’t have a history of spending money, and bringing in a guy like Pujols would turn the baseball world on its head. Not just because of the fact that one of the biggest superstars in the game would be going to a market that hasn’t had a lot of respect for baseball in the past, but because a team that has never had any desire to bring in top free agents for the long-term just brought in the biggest star in the game.
It certainly would be interesting if Pujols went to Miami, but I doubt it’ll end up happening.
