With news this week that Albert Pujols will be leaving the St. Louis Cardinals to sign with the Los Angeles Angels with a 10-year, $250 million contract, it would be fair to compare the deal to third baseman Alex Rodriguez’s contract that he inked with the New York Yankees before 2008.
Rodriguez, who was 32 when he signed a new 10-year, $275 million deal with the Yankees, has had a rough stretch the last four seasons, battling injuries along with the revelation that he used steroids when he played with Texas. With six years remaining and roughly $175 million owed Rodriguez, the Yankees are hoping to once again get some MVP-caliber performances out of the now 36-year old Rodriguez.
Pujols, who is also 32, is arguably the best everyday player in baseball, and he will have drawing power for the Angels’ ticket office for most of the life of the contract. MLB teams, however, continue to reward for past performances, and with Pujols at the age when players’ skills normally begin to decline, it is a risky investment.
Simply put, Rodriguez has had some of his worst seasons since signing his record deal in 2007. His career WAR average is 5.81. Since the beginning of the 2008 season, after signing his monster contract, Rodriguez has managed to average a WAR of only 3.72 per season.
Rodriguez had his lowest home run output in 2011 with 16, his lowest total since 1995 when he played in only 48 games with the Mariners.
Obviously, Pujols is not Rodriguez. They have taken different paths to their respective career successes. With age and injury being a major factor, the Angels are banking on some monster years from Pujols over the next few years, to match his monster contract.
-James Kries
