The Hebrew Hammer... Just in Time For Easter!

I swear to you that just this past Monday I was starting a rough draft for my next article, which was to be on Ryan Braun.

The topic was going to be regarding Braun's team-friendly 8-year $45 million contract in comparison to the 7-year, $140 million contract just signed by Carl Crawford. Looking at their statistics and what they bring to their respective teams and comparing the dollar for dollar benefits.

For the sake of well, Carl Crawford, I was not going to include any of this seasons statistics. My argument was going to be a great stat by stat comparison and conclude with the argument that Ryan Braun was now the most underpaid player in Major League Baseball.

I was going to do that. Then, I saw this article on FoxSports.com posted by Ken Rosenthal yesterday: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Ryan-Braun-Milwaukee-Brewers-contract-extension-details-042111.

That's right folks, Ryan Braun is getting what he deserves, a nice, fat, contract extension keeping him (theoretically) in Milwaukee until 2020. That would be 5 years, $105 million for those keeping score at home. This works out to $21 million annually for those years, making him a higher paid performer than Carl Crawford. In my opinion, deservedly so. Braun is only the third player in Major League history to sign a deal worth an average of at least $20 million a year at age 27 or younger. The others were Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer last year and Alex Rodriguez in 2001.

Braun has been picked to start each of the last three All-Star Games. In his first four seasons, Braun is only one of five players in history to hit at least 125 homers and post a .300 batting average, joining Joe DiMaggio, Chuck Klein, Albert Pujols and Ted Williams whom also share that feat. That's pretty good company, 3 Hall of Famers and 1 future Hall of Famer.

The best part of this deal, Milwaukee is maintaining viability. They have locked up their centerpiece in Braun. Rickie Weeks is developing into a premier second baseman and they may very well re-sign Prince Fielder... who knows? What I do know is that it is nice to see a deserving player get a contract that should keep him with one team for his entire career.

Where Pujols Fits

Adrian Gonzalez has ruined the market for Albert Pujols. Its true that the season is very young, but Pujols is not off to a prototypical "Pujols" season. If Adrian Gonzalez performs as expected in Boston and outperforms Pujols then it would be really hard for any team not named the Yankees (a presumed non-factor) to shell out $200 million for his services.

Let's assume that there is no blockbuster mid-season trade that sends Pujols elsewhere and he makes it (as expected) to free agency. The question then becomes, "Who will pay for his services?" The list should be short, right? After much debate with a friend of mine, we narrowed the field down to 7 realistic potential suitors. Surprisingly, neither will be the Boston Red Sox or the New York Yankees. Having said that, let's examine those teams that would be willing to shell out the coin (presumably) as well as have the desire to make a splash. As for Pujols, I don't get the vibe that he is all to concerned with staying in St. Louis for the sake of staying in St. Louis. Albert wants to get paid and he wants to win. With those parameters, I offer up these potential suitors for the biggest free agent in recent memory:

St. Louis Cardinals

Obviously the Cardinals need to keep him. The loss of Pujols could prove to be a catastrophic hit to the proud franchise. The signing of Matt Holiday was an attempt to show him that they have the willingness to spend the money to build a winning team around him. They have a new stadium that would be a sad sight if half empty. The loss of the power hitting first baseman could set this team back for years to come. Even if they attempted to fill the gap by becoming major players in the Prince Fielder auction, that would be like trying to sell Jo Jo English as a suitable replacement for Michael Jordan. No disrespect to Prince Fielder, but you catch my drift.

Colorado Rockies

This is my dark horse selection for the race. They are a complete team in many regards, but they have an aging first baseman in Todd Helton with a stud, young lineup that includes Troy Tulowitski, Carlos Gonzalez and Ubaldo Jimenez. The Rockies have never been known to be "big spenders" so to speak, which is why I would love, LOVE to see them in the race for Pujols. Can you just imagine it? At Coors Field Pujols would average 60 home runs, 120 RBI's, post easily a .300 average and be a potential triple crown threat every year. The Rockies would instantly be the team to beat for the next 8 years in the National League.

Anaheim Angels

I don't care how you want to spin it, the Angels were big time losers in the free agent market this past season. They did not get Carl Crawford. They did not get Cliff Lee. They were non-factors and were left with doing what the Angels do best, acquiring big, bad contracts. (See Vernon Wells.) This is a team with the resources and the need to make a big splash to become legitimate contenders in the eyes of the Red Sox and Yankees. Being an American League team, this offers Pujols the option of becoming a DH in the later portion of his contract. That might be an attractive incentive.

Texas Rangers

My American League dark horse. The Texas Rangers have built a reputation of winning under the leadership of Nolan Ryan. I love this organization right now. They wanted to shell out big money for Cliff Lee, who is to say they won't do the same to get Albert Pujols? Being an American League team, again, he will have the option of DH'ing in the later years while being thrust into a winning lineup as constituted. He will have protection in the lineup with the likes of Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, and possibly a contented DH in Michael Young (assuming he is stuck there through the 2011 season.) This team would instantly be World Series favorites, hands down.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Once again we have to assume that the McCourts will get the legal issues ironed out by the time the free agent frenzy begins next year. If they do, I'm pretty sure they'll do their best to inject some life into this highly talented lineup that is just under performing. I think you'd see them part ways with James Loney and light a fire under Andre Ethier (a personal favorite player of mine) and Matt Kemp. The Dodgers have fallen off from being considered a real threat in the NL and this would definitely give them back their legitimacy. It would also be a huge market for Pujols to make money in on his own... Pujols, Los Angeles...

New York Mets

I know - they are boring. They are broke. They haven't been viable for at least 3 seasons. That's why I can't rule them out. They're in New York. They may be bought out and suddenly find the cash the be a player again. Its New York. Did I mention that? The Mecca of the free world, Pujols could cash in nicely on endorsements etc being in the Big Apple. In the grand scheme, I find this to be the least likely option, but I would hate to not at least through the Mets in the mix. Lastly...

Chicago Cubs

The hated Cubs. This would vilify Pujols in St. Louis as much as LeBron is vilified in Cleveland. Maybe even more. It would be as if Ted Williams came back from war and decided to put on the pin stripes. Magic Johnson really did desire a trade and wound up playing with Bird in Boston. It would be the biggest smack in the face of the St. Louis Cardinals... but that might not be a concern for Pujols. He wants to get paid and he wants to win. The Cubs have Carlos Pena on a one year deal. They need a shot of adrenaline in their lineup. They have money to burn and a drought to end. They're desperate at this point. Don't sleep on the Cubs. They don't make sense across the board, but they may just overpay for Pujols to lure him away from St. Louis and to show their fanbase that they are trying to end their curse.

The field is wide open. There could be some other clubs that want to make a splash that just don't come to mind. But, based on my assessment and much debate... I think you may see Albert Pujols singing, "The stars at night, are big and bright...." Just like his contract, and his future... as a Texas Ranger. You heard it here first.

Tops Of The Ninth

It's official! Adrian Gonzalez has finalized a 7 year contract extension said to be worth around $154 million dollars to stay in Boston. Gonzalez's contract is the ninth richest in major league history and makes him (deservingly) one of the highest paid players/first basemen in Major League Baseball.

With the ink now dry on this contract, the Boston Red Sox have solidified their young core of stars for long term contracts, making the next 4-7 years in Boston very, very interesting. Carl Crawford, as we know is a $20 million dollar man, here for the next 7 years. Clay Buccholz just signed a four year extension, following in the footsteps of Jon Lester and Josh Beckett.

Before last season, Dustin Pedroia locked himself into a contract extension and Kevin Youkilis is signed through the next several seasons. This team is young, getting younger, and when the chemistry starts to click... they will be scary. Its time for a slight reality check. The Boston Red Sox are 2-9. Their best hitter is Jed Lowrie. Now, not to take anything away from Lowrie, something tells me he won't keep up the Ted Williams pace he's on and the average will go south of its current .438 rating. On the flip side of that coin, players that historically hit closer to .300 are all slumping at once: Crawford .152, Ellsbury .189, Youkilis .182. Adrian Gonzalez is starting to get over the early season slump, posting a batting average of .268 and climbing. Dustin Pedroia has been a maniac, batting .366 consistently.

This team is not very far away from turning on the jets and bypassing the rest of the American League East offensively.

Once the lineup starts putting up career average numbers, this team is going to be a tough one, and remain a tough team for many years to come, anchored by #28 on first.

HIT THE LIGHTS!

Dan Haren appears to have found his comfort zone and it certainly is not in Arizona. The former D’Back and current Angel ace has been nothing short of spectacular in this young season; posting the league’s best ERA at 0.73 with 21 strikeouts and 2 walks in 24.2 innings and a 3-0 record in 4 starts. That is impressive.

Sure, you can make the case that one of his wins came in a relief effort against Toronto on April 9th. Yes, he only pitched one inning in that game, but lets put this in perspective. Haren came into this game in the 14th inning, on 3 days rest (having just pitched on the 6th for his first win of the season going 7 and 2/3) to get the game winner. Then 3 days later he is called upon again and not only pitches well – he pitches a complete game, one hit shutout of the Cleveland Indians. Easily the most impressive start thus far in the big leagues.

The Angels, whom looked to be losers in the free-agent market this offseason, have got themselves a beast on the mound right now. When comparing his season statistics against not only the better righties in the league, but lefties as well, Haren is showing a level of dominance and control that nobody else is coming close to right now.

Sure, its early in the season and there is a whole lot of baseball left to be played, but watching Haren pitch this year could very well turn into quite the extravaganza if he keeps this pace up. Time will tell and well, the Angels have plenty of opportunities in front of them to overuse that arm.