For Love Of The Money?

Take a minute to think who the best first baseman in the league is. Recently signed New York Yankee, Mark Teixeira might be. Miguel Cabrera has got plenty of talent for the Detroit Tigers. But if it were me, my vote would be cast for Albert Pujols. So why is this relevant? With arbitration filings, many players expect to make a lot of money. Ryan Howard is the latest target as he filed for a record $18 million. That’s a little bit ridiculous for someone who hit .251 with 199 strikeouts last season.

My point isn’t that Howard doesn’t deserve a lot of money—because he does deserve a pay raise for help leading his team to a World Series title—but does that mean that he should automatically be one of the highest paid players around? He has raw power—no doubt about that. But his batting average has dipped in the last three years from .313 to .268 to .251 in 2008. His strikeout totals have skyrocketed in the process—199 in 2007 and 2008. I have a problem with a guy like that filing for more money than a classy and better player, Albert Pujols.

Pujols sprung onto the scene in 2001 with one of the best rookie years by any player in the rich history of the game. Unlike Howard, his strikeout totals have gone down—93 in 2001 to only 54 last season. And, Pujols’ batting average has remained constant—and not a .280 constant, but a .330 constant. A power hitter who hits 40 home runs, drives in 122 runs a year, and also hits .330 is almost unheard of nowadays. Not to mention Pujols’ stellar defense which earned him a Gold Glove in 2006. Howard has neither a Gold Glove or a batting title. And to counter Howard’s World Series title, Pujols won one in 2006—so that point is lost.

Pujols is set to make $16 million in 2009 which, by all means, is a huge sum of money. But in all respect to Ryan Howard, you do not deserve more money than Albert Pujols. Pujols has two MVP awards compared to Howard’s one. Pujols has one Gold Glove compared to Howard—who frankly will probably never get one. And Pujols has less talent around him and still puts up bigger numbers on a consistent basis.

So with all due respect to Ryan Howard, good luck with your arbitration case because there is no way the Phillies should pay $18 million to keep you. I know I wouldn’t.