Like Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols' Contract Strife Links Back to A-Rod

Filed under: Cardinals, Yankees, MLB Rumors, MLB Inside Scoop, Spring Training

JUPITER, Fla. -- Baseball has two superstars whose identities have become inseparable from their team's identity.

And this offseason, both Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter went through contract negotiations with their franchises that left everyone, player and team, taking criticism.

We can blame the Steinbrenner brothers for both.

Hank and Hal are the ones who gave Alex Rodriguez -- at age 32, after their general manager said he would not re-sign A-Rod if he opted out and he opted out anyway -- a 10-year, $275 million deal.

Jeter, rightfully, could feel he had done more for the Yankees than A-Rod and thus deserved to be richly rewarded.

Pujols, rightfully, could feel he is, right now, a better player than A-Rod and deserves a richer contract.

 

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