$50 million…A Year?

You tell 'em Bobby

So apparently Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox believes that Albert Pujols is “twice as good as any other player in the league” and really deserves $50 million – a year.  The sad thing is, I almost agree with him.  I hate to admit this because I think baseball contracts have gotten beyond ridiculous, but he’s kind of right.  If Ryan Howard, a guy who’s already 30, hits only .270 but crushes a ton of home runs deserves $25 million a year, than yes, the best player of the decade deserves double.

What I hate about this though, is that it’s is going to royally screw the Cardinals.  Now, I really doubt Albert will get an offer of $50 million per year, but even if he gets around $30 mill, which I think he definitely will, there’s no way in hell the Cardinals are keeping him.  I guess it’s a good thing they signed Matt Holliday to an 8 year contract.  My guess is that Boston will offer him that beyond enormous deal after the 2011 season, also the year that Adrian Gonzalez becomes free.  Gonzalez will also command a monstrous contract after seeing what Howard received from Philly.  He’s 2 years younger and probably even better.  He may even have an asking price of around $28-$30 million.  Ridiculous is the only word to describe this.  It’s a slippery slope that will only get worse in the future.

Most people cry out for a salary cap, I know I always have.  But having thought about it, I realized there’s a better option

If anyone who hits baseballs for a living deserves $50 million a year, it's Albert

than prohibiting rich owners from spending their hard earned money.  Especially when teams like the Marlins, Pirates, Royals and Reds still wouldn’t use the extra money if there were a salary cap in baseball.  I think Major League Baseball should install a “maximum contract” like the NBA does.  There should be a limit to what players can earn per season, maybe around $22 million?  I think this would help limit teams from giving players who may not be deserving of a “maximum contract” receive one.  It may not be a perfect solution, in fact it may not even be a good one, but it would help keep these absolutely ridiculous contracts from getting worse in the future, and will most certainly keep someone from making $50 million a year.