Phillies kicking around idea of trading Ryan Howard

[upinya83]

It's the sort of thing that is much more likely to happen in fantasy baseball than in real life, but according to sources, an idea has been kicked around the Phillies' organization internally, with discussions about proposing a swap of slugger Ryan Howard for St. Louis superstar Albert Pujols.

It's not fully clear whether the Phillies actually have approached the Cardinals with the idea, and even if St. Louis were to seriously consider such an offer, executives with the Cardinals would have to swallow very hard before dealing Pujols, a player widely regarded as the best in the sport.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro flatly denied that the internal discussions have taken place. "Lies," he said. "That's a lie. I don't know who you're talking to, but that's a lie."

The talk may well echo, in the end, another blockbuster deal that was discussed but never consummated many years ago: Executives of the Red Sox and Yankees once famously discussed a trade of Ted Williams for Joe DiMaggio.

The logic for a Howard for Pujols swap, as discussed within the Phillies' organization, could fall along these lines: Pujols, 30 years old, is eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, and early conversations about a contract extension have not led to any long-term deal. The expectation within baseball is that Pujols may ask for a deal that would rival, in annual value, the record-setting 10-year, $275 million deal that Alex Rodriguez negotiated with the Yankees in fall 2007.

If the Cardinals were to decide, at any point, that they could not afford to sign Pujols, they could consider dealing him, in the way the Toronto Blue Jays traded Roy Halladay, or the Minnesota Twins traded Johan Santana.
And Howard, who is just a couple of months older than Pujols, would not be a bad alternative. In the past four seasons, Howard has hit 198 homers and accumulated 572 RBIs, and has finished in the top five of the NL MVP race.

Here's the public relations kicker: Howard was born in St. Louis, and is regarded as a hometown kid in that city.

Howard is under contract for each of the next two seasons as well -- for $19 million in 2010 and $20 million in 2011 -- as part of a three-year deal he signed last year. He would be more expensive than Pujols in each of the next two seasons, but on the other hand, he probably will not be as expensive to sign as Pujols in his next contract.

Pujols is a right-handed hitter who would help to balance a Philadelphia lineup that has been very left-handed, and he is regarded as a superior first baseman, as well as being the best hitter in the sport.

Pat Gillick, who preceded Amaro as general manager and is currently serving as an adviser, knows something about making out-of-the-box blockbusters.

Twenty years ago, as general manager of the Blue Jays, he stunned the baseball world by trading stars Tony Fernandez and Fred McGriff to the San Diego Padres for Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar.

[dhunter]

In fantasy or real life, who would trade pujols or howard

[dhunter]

meant to type....for Howard

[upinya83]

Originally Posted by dhunter

In fantasy or real life, who would trade pujols or howard

from the article, the cardinals dont know if they can afford to resign pujols when he becomes FA after 2011, but howard will demand less money -

just a rumor, but an interesting one

[TCD619]

howard is from st louis....

[TN TITAN Fan In STL]

I like Howard alot I went to High School with him he is a good guy but this would be a bad trade for the cards.Pujols is the most Intimidating hitter in baseball and plays decent defense.I hope we can find a way to keep Pujols here in STL.

[upinya83]

Originally Posted by TN TITAN Fan In STL

I like Howard alot I went to High School with him he is a good guy but this would be a bad trade for the cards.Pujols is the most Intimidating hitter in baseball and plays decent defense.I hope we can find a way to keep Pujols here in STL.

there is a way, $300 million dollars

[walk066]

Why would anyone in their right mind trade Roid Pujols?

[bigsportsguy2006]

Originally Posted by walk066

Why would anyone in their right mind trade Roid Pujols?

read above ... because of the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[rjb1816]

Originally Posted by upinya83

Twenty years ago, as general manager of the Blue Jays, he stunned the baseball world by trading stars Tony Fernandez and Fred McGriff to the San Diego Padres for Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar.

Brought them a title...didnt do shit for san diego. Although my first memories at games was seeing the crime dog and sheffield in pads unis

[walk066]

Originally Posted by bigsportsguy2006

read above ... because of the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

You're telling me that Howard is going to cost that much less? I highly doubt it.

[upinya83]

Originally Posted by walk066

You're telling me that Howard is going to cost that much less? I highly doubt it.

yes

pujols will cost 100 million more than howard im guessing


they r estimating pujols getting a 10 year, 300 million contract

howard wont get close to that

what did tex get, 180?

[rjb1816]

adrian will likely help set the market here in the next year or so

[walk066]

Originally Posted by upinya83

yes

pujols will cost 100 million more than howard im guessing


they r estimating pujols getting a 10 year, 300 million contract

howard wont get close to that

what did tex get, 180?

I don't think it's going to be that much different. Pujols will want more, but it's not to say Howard will back down from that price either.

[upinya83]

Originally Posted by walk066

I don't think it's going to be that much different. Pujols will want more, but it's not to say Howard will back down from that price either.

Howard is great, so in not trying to knock him here, but he's not gonna get close to pujols money. howard is a .275 hitter with power and drives in runs. Pujols is a top 5 of all time player.

If they are both unsigned going into free agency, I'll guess Pujols gets a 10 yr, 300 million contract and howard gets an 8 year, $180 contract

$120 million dollars is a big difference - even if howard does get a little more, which maybe he can earn by batting closer to .300 this year - he may get upwards of $200 million, but he'll still be far behind Albert