St. Louis Has More To Worry About Than Making Playoffs
Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 1:29 pm
An ugly battle is brewing within the St. Louis Cardinals organization, and at some point someone will be sent packing.
This of course is about the battle between Manager Tony LaRussa and OF Colby Rasmus, and while most sports writers make it sound like the easiest solution is to fire LaRussa and keep the young talented outfielder, that my not be the best option for the Cardinals... in fact that may not be an option at all... if they intend on keeping Albert Pujols in town.
Speaking today in response to a report that Rasmus asked to be traded earlier this season, Pujols said, "That'll show you right there a young player that doesn't respect what he's got," Pujols continued. "He needs to find out the talent and ability that he has and pretty much keep his mouth shut and play the game. Let the organization make those decisions, not himself."
Of course some will say Pujols should take his own advice and shut up himself, though he has certainly earned the right to speak out on issues that effect his team, and Pujols is clearly standing behind LaRussa.
So one could expect that should the Cardinals fire LaRussa, they would have a hard time re-signing Pujols beyond next season. If St. Louis cares to retain Pujols, they have almost no choice but to keep LaRussa and trade Rasmus.
But should St. Louis prioritize Rasmus over Pujols? Yes Pujols is the best hitter in baseball, but he also will be 31 years old (atleast in Dominican years, that could easily translate to 35) when next season starts while Rasmus will be just 24 when his third season in the majors begins and is still a couple years away from entering his prime, while Pujols will soon (for normal players anyway) be entering his declining years.
If they wish to re-sign Pujols they have no choice but to hang on to LaRussa... or at the very least not push him out the door. If they choose to stand with Rasmus it will mean the end of their long time manager and perhaps the end of the face of their franchise...
If you were in charge what would you do?
This of course is about the battle between Manager Tony LaRussa and OF Colby Rasmus, and while most sports writers make it sound like the easiest solution is to fire LaRussa and keep the young talented outfielder, that my not be the best option for the Cardinals... in fact that may not be an option at all... if they intend on keeping Albert Pujols in town.
Speaking today in response to a report that Rasmus asked to be traded earlier this season, Pujols said, "That'll show you right there a young player that doesn't respect what he's got," Pujols continued. "He needs to find out the talent and ability that he has and pretty much keep his mouth shut and play the game. Let the organization make those decisions, not himself."
Of course some will say Pujols should take his own advice and shut up himself, though he has certainly earned the right to speak out on issues that effect his team, and Pujols is clearly standing behind LaRussa.
So one could expect that should the Cardinals fire LaRussa, they would have a hard time re-signing Pujols beyond next season. If St. Louis cares to retain Pujols, they have almost no choice but to keep LaRussa and trade Rasmus.
But should St. Louis prioritize Rasmus over Pujols? Yes Pujols is the best hitter in baseball, but he also will be 31 years old (atleast in Dominican years, that could easily translate to 35) when next season starts while Rasmus will be just 24 when his third season in the majors begins and is still a couple years away from entering his prime, while Pujols will soon (for normal players anyway) be entering his declining years.
If they wish to re-sign Pujols they have no choice but to hang on to LaRussa... or at the very least not push him out the door. If they choose to stand with Rasmus it will mean the end of their long time manager and perhaps the end of the face of their franchise...
If you were in charge what would you do?